RKS 2024 Wine: Herdade Do Sobroso from Portugal: The 2020 Was an 89: The 2021?

Posted byRobert K Stephen (CSW)Posted inFood, WineTags:, , , , , , ,

I rated the 2020 Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal an 89. What fate will I assign to the 2021?

The 2021 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Aragonez (30%), Alicante Bouschet (30%) and Syrah (20%). The grapes were handpicked and aged in 500 litre French oak barrels for 6 months.

Aroma: Creamy blackberry.

Palate: Blackberry, cassis, fig and smoked meat. A short spicy finish. Minimal tannins with beautifully integrated oak. Some very timid acidity…thank goodness.

Personality: I am fairly representative of the wines of Alentejo. Unlike my Douro brethren, insistent upon indigenous grapes, we here in Alentejo are very fond of Alicante Bouschet and Syrah in our red blends. I am simple and straightforward.

Food Match: In Portugal with a wickedly rich Franchesina or failing that in North America a platter of medium fatty smoked meat, kosher pickle and fries.

Cellarbility: Ready for consumption now but will happily hang around like a puppy at your heels until 2025-year end.

Price: $20 CDN (Ontario).

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 89/100. Roger Voss 88.

(Herdade do Sobroso 2021, D.O.C. Alentejo, Herdade do Sobroso, Vidigueira, Portugal, 750 mL, 14.5%).

Published by Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Robert K Stephen writes about food ,drink, travel, film, and lifestyle issues. He also has published serialized novels "Life at Megacorp", "Virus # 26, "Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog" and "The Penniless Pensioner" Robert was the first associate member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada. He also holds a Mindfulness Certification from the University of Leiden and the University of Toronto. Be it Spanish cured meat, dried fruit, BBQ, or recycled bamboo place mats, Robert endeavours to escape the mundane, which is why he has established this publication. His motto is, "Have Story, Will Write."

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