Wine & Soul Douro Tinto, Pintas Character | 2019

At the forefront of the Douro Valley's dry wine movement, Sandra Tavares da Silva and Jorge Serôdio Borges started in 2001 by seeking-out the region's oldest vines. Their mission led them to the Vale de Mendiz, a high-altitude valley in the Douro’s middle region, the Cima Corgo, where they discovered and breathed new life into more than forty native varieties. Today, not much has changed, as they still operate a low-key, garage-style winery, making some of the most influential wines in Portugal.

Wine & Soul makes Pintas and Pintas Character. Think of Character as the baby wine of Pintas. It's a field blend of more than thirty grapes, from five plots surrounding the Pintas vineyard. I was fortunate to taste this wine at its source, sky high in the dead silence of the Vale de Mendiz. When I looked back at my journal, a swirl of stars and exclamation points were my only tasting notes. The backbone of the field blend is Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Rufete which show-off a mix of dark red fruits and plump purple ones. Aged in 2nd and 3rd year-use barrels for 18 months, the palate is luscious with a fine grip of violets, wild forest, and sweet cigar. If you’re a fan of places like Ribera del Duero, Rioja Alavesa, or Right Bank Bordeaux, you'll appreciate the power and finesse of the Vale de Mendiz, ands remember to keep Wine and Soul on your drinking radar. ~Allegra A