Grao Vasco Tinto, Dao 2023

The Dão region sits just below the Port making Douro area of northern Portugal and has long been a source of reliable reds. This, made at the stat of the art Quinta dos Carvalhais winery, is a classic blend of native Portuguese varieties, mainly Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz under the watchful eye of winemaker Beatriz Cabral de Almeida. It's made unoaked to preserve the vibrant fruity character remains centre stage and it has young and intense aromas of strawberries, blackberries and cherries while the rounded tannins and lively acidity holds it all together really well making for a really pleasurable experience.

A highly quaffable red that's very appealing and goes well by itself or with a wide range of meaty foods.

At Quinta dos Carvalhais, a beautiful property near the village of Mangualde in the Dão region of northern Portugal, the vineyards are devoted to regional grape varieties making wines that reflect the area's long vinous heritage. Here they combine traditional winemaking practices with up-to-date techniques and create an impressive range of wines. Being part of the Sogrape Group, one of Portugal's biggest wine businesses, they’re well-resourced and have highly experienced winemakers such as Beatriz Cabral de Almeida to call on to make sure quality lives up to the tradition and reputation of the Dão region.