Vinhas Velhas Tinto 2014, Luis Pato, Bairrada

Garnet colour, bricked on the edges. Great complexity in the aroma. Reveals game notes, thyme and dried berries of blueberry and blackberry, evolving into hints of cherry, leather and black pepper. In the mouth it remains expressive with hints of fresh cherry, bushes, dried plum, soy sauce and light smoke. Silky texture makes the wine slip effortlessly, and the bright acidity is perfectly adjusted to the body. The aftertaste is prolonged with licorice and medicinal herbs.

Luís Pato has been making wine here since 1980, ten years after his father became the first producer to estate bottle wines after the Bairrada DOC was granted.

These days, and more than 30 vintages later, Luis has 60 hectares of vines, majoring on Baga for red wines, and Bical and Maria Gomes for whites. A considerable proportion of production is also in sparkling wine, both metodo classico and metodo antigo (Bairrada has been, since the 1890s, the cradle of sparkling wine production in Portugal).

Winemaking has moved from the grounds of the family house in Ois do Bairro, to a smart winery in Amoreira de Gandara, and, of course, these days Luis Pato is not only the most famous producer in his region, but enjoys a global reputation too.

Planted in clay-limestone soil, in vineyards with an average age of 40 years. Aged for 12 months in used barrels of 650 liters.