Wine & Soul Pintas Character 2020
DOURO VALLEY
Regular price $39.99
2020 Pintas 'Character' 93WA
Wine & Soul
Douro Valley, Portugal
- Terroir within and surrounding the Pintas vineyard of younger 45-70 years-old vines
- Field blend of 30+ various red grape varieties:
- Touriga Nacional (Portugal's Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Touriga Franca (Portugal's Cabernet Franc)
- Tinta Roriz (actually Tempranillo)
- 18 months in 90% used French oak (10% new)
My Tasting Note
"Character" is a texbook Douro wine that shows hints of the old vine Pintas, but is approachable younger as Pintas is for the cellar. Though this will certainly age a decade+ easy. The wine shows the classic notes from the Douro of fresh red to dark red and blue fruits, purple florals, subtle spices, and mineral nots of the schist rock it comes from, med+ nose intensity. Med+ body, with ripe and fine med/med+ tannin, this has very good freshness. Med+ palate intensity, this retains finesse and elegance, no doubt from the old vine material and sails into a long, persistent finish.
93 pts Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2020 Pintas Character is a field blend (over 30 grapes, but the majority are Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional) from old vines aged for 18 months in 90% used French oak. It comes in at 14.7% alcohol. Another super Character, this isn't just a simple second-fiddle to the Pintas. It has evolved into a fine wine in its own right. It has ripe (but not overripe) fruit, enough freshness and controlled power. It tastes great and should continue evolving well.
Wine & Soul
Douro Valley, Portugal
- Terroir within and surrounding the Pintas vineyard of younger 45-70 years-old vines
- Field blend of 30+ various red grape varieties:
- Touriga Nacional (Portugal's Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Touriga Franca (Portugal's Cabernet Franc)
- Tinta Roriz (actually Tempranillo)
- 18 months in 90% used French oak (10% new)
My Tasting Note
"Character" is a texbook Douro wine that shows hints of the old vine Pintas, but is approachable younger as Pintas is for the cellar. Though this will certainly age a decade+ easy. The wine shows the classic notes from the Douro of fresh red to dark red and blue fruits, purple florals, subtle spices, and mineral nots of the schist rock it comes from, med+ nose intensity. Med+ body, with ripe and fine med/med+ tannin, this has very good freshness. Med+ palate intensity, this retains finesse and elegance, no doubt from the old vine material and sails into a long, persistent finish.
93 pts Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2020 Pintas Character is a field blend (over 30 grapes, but the majority are Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional) from old vines aged for 18 months in 90% used French oak. It comes in at 14.7% alcohol. Another super Character, this isn't just a simple second-fiddle to the Pintas. It has evolved into a fine wine in its own right. It has ripe (but not overripe) fruit, enough freshness and controlled power. It tastes great and should continue evolving well.
A lot of people complain about the 2020 vintage, hot and difficult, but Wine & Soul had a fine year, often propelled by the ability to harvest small crops quickly. Consistency, even in difficult vintages, is often the sign of a great winery.