Deep ruby color; dark fruit power, baked cherry, plum, blackberry, dark chocolate, vanilla, baking spice, balsamic, granitic minerality on the nose and palate.
Dry (<3 g/L RS); fine, somewhat grippy tannins; moderate acidity (4.7 g/L TA). Full body. Excellent expression of both touriga nacional (Portugal’s iconic quality black grape) and the Dão region (Portugal’s oldest demarcated wine region). Grapes are 100% touriga nacional from the high altitude granitic soils of the Castendo sub-region of Dão. The vintage saw an early frost and intentional pruning that reduced yields, but the remainder of the season was normal and the reduced harvest delivered concentrated quality. Fruit hand harvested. Fermented in stainless steel and concrete, then aged 10 months in 132-gallon French oak barrels, 20% new, 80% second use. This softens and improves with air, consider decanting. 13% ABV
The Amorim family has been involved in wine since 1870. In the beginning, they produced cork stoppers for Porto cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. Today, the family is one of the most renowned in Portuguese wine and cork. The company’s reach goes well beyond this label. Amorim remains an important player in cork production. Sister wine labels include Quinta Nova, Aeternus, Mirabilis, and Grainha. Plus the Terraçu’s Winery Restaurant in the Douro Valley. Corticeira Amorim is the world’s largest cork-processing group. The Amorim Group operates many companies in raw material management, cork closures, floor and wall coverings, insulation, and composites. They sell to wine, construction, aerospace, and automotive sectors in more than 100 countries.
In 1999, the fourth generation became involved in wine through the efforts of CEO Luísa Amorim. The wine divisions operate in both of Portugal’s most important wine regions, the Dão—where this wine comes from—and the Douro—the heart of Porto production. Under Luísa Amorim’s leadership, the family’s wine‑estate arm is increasingly framed as a laboratory of sustainable Portuguese viticulture. António Rios de Amorim, another fourth generation member of the family and Luísa’s first cousin, leads the cork division of the company.
Corticeira Amorimthe’s emphasis on carbon‑negative forestry, biodiversity, and regeneration is mirrored in low‑impact vineyard management and community‑investment programs. Amorim is an example of modern, eco‑conscious Portuguese company, its wine division led by Luísa, its cork division by António. It is a fascinating study in how a traditional cork dynasty can successfully pivot into the “stuff inside the bottle” without losing its core identity and be a world leader in both aspects.
Taboadella Touriga Nacional Reserva Dão DOC 2021 is a lively, dark fruit, serious touriga nacional effort that is drinkable and affordable now, but also will reward patience in your cellar. It is a delight in that it is a serious wine that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Excellent QPR (quality-price-ratio). $26-35
Pairing—Roasted, grilled lamb, especially shoulders or chops with rosemary, garlic, and olive oil. Grilled, braised beef, ribeye, strip, short ribs, pot roast. Game meats, venison, wild boar, duck. Beef or pork stews and casseroles with beans and tomato-olive bases. Portuguese sausage, smoke ham. Grilled mushrooms, eggplant, roasted root vegetables brushed with olive oil and thyme. Cheese—Portuguese cheeses, queijo são jorge, aged serra de estrela, azeitãgo. Aged manchego or pecorino; aged cheddar or comté. Avoid blue or funky cheeses, roquefort; super-creamy, young cheese.
