Porta 6 2018, Lisboa
Portugese Blend
Porta 6 is the best selling wine in the largest specialist wine retailer in the UK (Majestic wines). James Martin once described the wine as one of ‘the nicest reds he’d tasted in 10 years’ on his Saturday Kitchen TV show. Does the wine live up to the hype?
In short...Yes. Read on if you’d like to know more.
The label is the first thing you notice about the wine. It is a piece of urban artwork by award winning German artist and illustrator Hauke Vagt, who has been based in Lisbon for over 20 years. His artwork provides a playful and quirky take on day to day life in Lisbon. The painting is of the historic yellow ‘Remodelado’ trams found in the city.
Porta 6 is made by Vidigal wines, located near Leiria in the center of Portugal. The wine comes from the Lisboa Vinho Regional, one of the biggest wine regions in Portugal, stretching along the Atlantic coast. The region can be subdivided into 9 different wine regions and produces a wide variety of red and white wines.
The wine itself is made from 3 different native grape varieties. 50% Aragonez, 40% Castelão and 10% Touriga Nacional. Aragonez is actually just another name for Tempranillo (the main grape in Rioja wines). Castelão is the 2nd most planted grape in Portugal and thrives in arid conditions producing fruity and tannic wines. Touriga Nacional is thought to be one of the finest grapes grown in Portugal, often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, it is used in many blends, including Port.
Porta 6 is a supple and smooth red wine, full of jammy dark fruit flavours. Some of the cheaper wines that you find at supermarkets can be overly sweet and just taste like glorified Ribena, this is nothing like that and is a well made wine by a family run winery that’s been doing it for over a century. It is uncomplicated and easy-drinking. Porta 6 is probably the easiest wine to recommend. It is under £10 (under 5 euros in much of Europe), widely available and a definite crowd-pleaser. Perfect for a party or BBQ!
The Porta 6 Reserva is a wine in much the same style as the Porta 6. Although, it has a slightly different make up of grape varieties, including more international grapes, such as Syrah (or Shiraz) and Cabernet sauvignon. In addition it is aged for slightly longer in oak barrels. The flavour profile is similar with lots of ripe and concentrated dark fruit. The finish is longer and more persistent. One of the stand-out features of both wines is the balance between fruit, acidity and tannins. Both wines are excellent value.
Overall score:
- Porta 6: 89
- Porta 6 Reserva: 90
Price for Porta 6:
- UK: £7.99 (Majestic)
- EU: €3.75
- AUS: $21
Price for Porta 6 Reserva:
- UK: £9.99 (Majestic)
- EU: €7.40
- AUS: $21
Wine specification for Porta 6:
- Grape variety: 50% Aragonez, 40% Castelão and 10% Touriga Nacional
- Region: Lisboa, Portugal
- Vintage 2018
- Alcohol: 13.5%
Wine specification for Porta 6 Reserva:
- Grape variety: 40% Syrah, 20% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Cabernet & 20% Touriga Nacional
- Region: Lisboa, Portugal
- Vintage 2017
- Alcohol: 14%
コメント