Herdade do Rocim Mariana Red Blend | 2023

I finally met Pedro in person, and within a few minutes I realized he wasn’t just another talented trendy winemaker — I was talking to one of the most respected figures in Portuguese wine. While I love my reds from the Douro, Bairrada, and Dão, it’s hard to beat Alentejo for its price bucket. Sure, a lot of the region’s bulk wines are overripe and chunky, but then there’s the pretty stuff: wines from the surprisingly cool pockets, like Rocim’s Vidigueira Fault, made with freshness in mind. Mariana is a blend of Alentejo’s “big four” red grapes — Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, and Trincadeira, organically farmed on crumbly granite and schist soils. The result is a perfectly medium-bodied red that’s almost impossible not to like, whether you’re a Pinot nerd or Cabernet freak. In all of Pedro’s wines, the texture is undeniable; they are sneakily soft and creamy, while being overly generous with their bramble and umami spice. Mariana Red reminds me of a very good Côtes-du-Rhône, but better. So, next time you’re looking for an all-around tasty red, don’t forget to visit Portugal and drive by Alentejo! ~Allegra Angelo