Pegos Claros, Palmela Reserva

Pegos Claros has a fascinating story going back hundreds of years. Perhaps the most interesting in the last hundred was in The move to the Companhia das Quintas under Salazar - the Portuguese dictator - in the 1930s, and then into private ownership as recently as 2010. Each move of ownership though has sought to celebrate the intrinsic qualities of two things above all else: the unique climate and soils of Palmela and the wonderful characteristics of Castelao as a grape variety. This Riserva version is relatively new to the family of wines and is a real treat for fans of Portuguese and any red wine. Layered and smoky, it has great fruit character and a dry, mouth-drying finish. This will certainly develop over the coming years.