2021 Quinta de Saes Tinto Dão

The quality of wine coming out of Portugal has simply never been better. In the past few decades, the country has experienced a renaissance of sorts, with an infusion of wine technology, young winemakers armed with fresh ideas, and a newfound dedication to regional and varietal typicity. And while the quality has steadily risen, the prices remain unbelievably low! If you haven’t opened a bottle of Portugese wine in a while, my hands down pick would be the 2021 Quinta de Saes from Dão, a region in the north of the country often referred to as the “Burgundy of Portugal”. Medium-bodied, with loads of fresh, almost slightly crunchy red fruit – think pomegranate, Bing cherry and cranberry – this is a wine that will likely change your mind about the kind of wine Portugal is capable of producing. There is an almost Pinot Noir-like transparency here, with subtle earth and oak spice notes emerging on the lingering finish, adding depth and complexity without sacrificing freshness. The mouthfeel of this wine is so light and graceful, it could be served with a slight chill even, perfect for warm summer evenings. The varieties here are a blend of native varieties as most Portuguese wines are – about 25% Touriga Naçional, 25% Alfrocheiro, 25% Jaen, and 25% Tinta Pinheira in this wine. Portugal has the highest density of indigenous varieties in Europe, about 300 by most counts, an extraordinary number for a small country. Most of these varieties are little known outside the country yet have had centuries to adapt to the climate and terroir where they grow, making them the perfect mirrors of each region. Refined yet utterly approachable, the 2021 Quinta de Saes truly overdelivers, offering distinctive character and sophistication at a price that makes reaching for a second bottle feel entirely justified.