Branco/Whites
Ladeira da Santa Branco 2017 13% This traditional mix of 40% Malvasia 30% Arinto 15% Gouveou, 5% encruzado and Bical 5% is brimming with spicy, fruity aromas, which carry through a lively fruitiness within a well rounded texture in the mouth. It is a zippy, fresh happy blend and a perfect summer wine. The fruit sourced from this corner of Dao is near to Bairrada so this cooler/wetter climate makes for a more aromatic wine that’s lighter with zingier acidity. 15.5/20 Tasted 7.2018
Ladeira da Santa Reserva Encruzado 2017 13% Relatively fresh minty high tones make for a very spicy, aromatic Encruzado style. Dense, rounded in the mouth texturally with fresh pear/white peach fruits, and an edgy quince-like acidity. Nice balance of fruit texture to acidity. Quite a succulent wine, with a pleasantly juicy finish. 17/20 Tasted 7.2018
Ladeira da Santa Reserva Encruzado 2016 13% still some spiciness with minerality emerging over time. Aromatics are less pronounced than 2017. Nice density, with concentrated fruit and mineral flaovrs (pear/quince) and quince like acidity. Still fresh and youthful. 17/20 Tasted 7.2018
Ladeira da Santa Rosado 2010 13% This rose is produced from the free run of unpressed fruit. It offers fresh herb and red fruit aromas and tart red fruit flavors. Crisp, light and straightforward it is easy drinking rose. Tasted 10.2011
Tinto/Reds
Ladeira da Santa Colheita Seleccionada 2016 13.5% This lagar made blend of 35% each of Alfrocheiro and Roriz with rest in Touriga offers a great mineral cast over a mix of dried and fresh black cherry/black fruit aromas. Its slick and smooth in the mouth with tons of fruit extract and viscosity and a long tapered finish. Quite an impressive texture17/20 Tasted 7.2018
Ladeira da Santa Grande Reserva 2015 13% This lagar made blend of 80%Touriga and 20% Alfrocheiro spent 12 months in neutral old oak barrels, 4 years or older. Opens with a complex mix of spice and savory red fruits carried through a dense, concentrated texture. Smartly structured, both continuous and persistent, with a superb balance of acidity to fruit weight to fine tannins. Fruit wells up after a long tapered finish. 19/20 Tasted 7.2018
Ladeira da Santa Grande Reserva 2011 13% This lagar made blend of 60%Touriga and 40% Alfrocheiro spent 12 months in neutral old oak barrels, 4 years or older. Leads with cedary oak notes poking out over minerally shaded mature red fruit aromas and flavors. At this point palate is well married and fruit wears a complex, smoky, tarry cast. Structured with firm, slightly dry tannins through finish. Still has plenty of years ahead and is going through, closed down 2ndary to tertiary phase at moment. Seems to have been treated to more new oak that year? But enough fruit concentration to see it through. 16.5/20 Tasted 7.2018
Ladeira da Santa Colheita 2010 13% 35/alfrocheiro/35 roriz/30TN M Lagar made and aged in a mix of barrique and stainless steel tanks with suspended oak staves. Driven up front by spicy mix of violet and black fruit aromas and flavors, this clean, fresh wine displays soft textures and firm tannins. Overall it is a very bright, fresh fruit-driven style. Tasted 10.2011
Ladeira da Santa Reserva 2008 13% This lagar made blend of 70% Touriga and 30% alfrocheiro 30 spends 12 months in neutral old (4 years or older) oak barrels. It is beautifully integrated now, showing lovely black fruit aromas, tons of juicy black fruit flavors, great concentration and a mix of berry and vanilla fruits on finish. It is a very attractive, highly polished wine, presenting a convincing mix of modern and traditional style. The Alfrocheiro does great job of throttling back Touriga’s exuberant aromas and tannins. Update, I love the 2008s for the elegance and typicity. Expect this one to drink well for a couple of decades at least. 17/20 Tasted 10.2011
Ladeira da Santa Reserva 2009 13% Equal blends of Touriga and Alfrocheiro spend 12 months in new barriques. The results are savory aromas and tart red fruit flavors. Although from a hotter year the 2009 is more linear and freshly style than the 08 Reserva. Tasted 10.2011