Vinha da Valentina Premium Tinto 2016

Peninsula de Sétubal lies to the south of Lisbon across the River Tagus. The Vinho Regional was recently renamed ‘Peninsula de Sétubal’ but was formerly known as Terras do Sado. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Perhaps the best known wines of the region are the sweet, fortified wines of the Sétubal DOC but there an increasing number of dry whites and rich reds produced in the area.Vinha da Valentina is a new discovery for us from Casa Ermelinda Freitas, a winery just east of Sétubal and close to the coast This special cuvée comes from vineyards formerly owned by Mrs Valentina, after whom the wine is namedThe Valentina family owned some of the oldest vines in the region but with no children to pass the vineyards on to, Mrs Valentina contacted Leonor Freitas, a family friend and owner of Casa Ermelinda Freitas, who jumped at the chance to buy them. A delicious blend of Syrah and Portuguese native varieties (25% Syrah, 25% Castelão, 25% Aragonês and 25% Alicante Bouschet). This is a rich deep red with a powerful nose of deep red fruit. Generous and full on the palate with oaky and spicy notes.