Red wines from the Lisbon appellation in Portugal are not timid about blending with Syrah, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon aside native indigenous varieties but all we can read on the label is that it is made from “typical grape varieties planted in the region”. A trip to the Casa Santos Lima website reveals the grapes are Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. The fermentation occurred in 10,000 litre vats and then aged 8 months in both American and French oak barrels.
Aroma: Full of black cherry, blackberry, cola with a bit of dark chocolate.
Palate: A burly courier de bois wine. Not dainty or elegant if you are searching for that. Tannins are moderate. Black cherry and blackberry rules the roost. The wine is taking no hostages. With 9 grams of residual sugar much more than most reds but the sugar is well hidden.
Personality: I am like Alanis Morrissette when she croons about that “Jagged Little Pill”.
Food match: The wine is not one of those “Friday Night Wines” but it requires a robust meat or pasta dish to shine. I would not recommend as a casual sipping wine. Like many Portuguese red wines, it is built for food.
Cellarbility: It can hold nicely until 2026 and will modestly improve with ageing.
Price: $16.95 (Ontario).
RKS 2023 wine rating: 88/100. Roger Voss Wine Enthusiast 91.
(Colossal Reserva 2018, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Casa Santos Lima, Portugal, 14%, 750 mL, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 548867).
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