Pegos Claros Reserva 2021, Palmela, Portugal

This lovely rich wine (trodden by foot still!) has aroma of black plums, redcurrant and a hint of menthol, with some tobacco, toast and vanilla. On the palate it is full and long with soft tannins, and balanced acidity.

Made from 100% Castelão from vines with an average age of over 70 years, it is aged in old French oak for 12 months and offers a rich, full flavour while maintaining it's freshness. Ready to drink now (thanks to the wood aging) it will keep for a decade (No chance in my house!).

This vintage has just arrived but previous vintages have all scored very highly.
The previous vintage we stocked - 2019 - scored 93 points from Wine Advocate. Their tasting note below could be repeated for this vintage!
'Tightly wound, concentrated and firm on the finish, this is superb in this tough vintage that destroyed a lot of the winery's Castelão in a vicious heat wave. Winemaker Bernardo Cabral said certain plots were lost and the quantity reduced, but the ones in places that could survive were of high quality. This lacks for nothing in concentration, structure and flavor, although it is never a candied and overly simple wine. It does need a little more maturity to acquire some complexity. This grape ages well and the wine is built to age, so that drinking window might be conservative. It's a fine value.

This wine is packed in cases of 6.

Alc. Vol. 13.5%

Last Tasted: August 2025