May 2010
New Wines on Castas

Castas will be adding strength and depth to its collection of Portuguese wines by including two new wines from Fita Preta Vinhos. David Booth and Antonio Macanita are all about having fun but making good enjoyable and serious wines.

The below are just fine examples of that philosophy:

• Fita Preta Red 2007 A wine that is deep in colour, showing balsamic tones and lifted floral notes on the nose. Good dark fruit adds to a smooth palate which is well balanced
• Palpite Red 2006 There was no Preta (the flagship wine) in 2006, instead the fruit went into Palpite. A peppery nose leads onto a palate with tight and intense black berry and currant fruit, with the Touriga Nacional adding lift. Very nice mouthfeel and balance with well integrated oak.
  Alvaro Castro is well noted as Dao’s region Star wine producer. His reds are often noted as some of the finest throughout Portugal and now he has turned his hand to rose production. This is a fine rose that ticks all the boxes to be a star in itself.
• Quinta de Saes Rose 2009 Soft pink in colour, this wine exuberates freshness and flavour. Good rich red berry fruit of summer strawberries and floral rose bring depth and character to the nose and palate. The fruit is full of acidity and the finish is long and most satisfying. A perfect rose.

Do look out for these wines and a few extra additions come May.