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If the white Colares can age with extraordinary grace over time, the reds of the region are the wine equivalent of Dorian Gray's portrait. Untouched by the passage of time, Colares reds are Portugal's most distinctive "quiet" wines. Made from the Ramisco variety, planted on the region's characteristic sandy soils, they are light in colour, medium-bodied, low in alcohol but with acidity and tannins that need time to tame. If 1996, a wine approaching 30 years old, seems old to you, these wines can easily go beyond fifty or more years. The 1996 itself shows no signs of fatigue but only a wonderful evolution. One could put it next to the way the best classic Barolo's age, or the wonderful Chinon of the Loire. It is remarkably youthful for its age, with a characteristically thin and ethereal palate accompanied by notes of dried fruit, cocoa and raisins and an impressively long finish. Gripping from start to finish. The shrinking vineyard means that Colares are simply tasted, but continue your dinner with one of the other beautiful Portuguese wines in our collection. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Ramisco is a variety with "energy" that needs time to be tamed. Wherever you plant it outside of the Colares sand, its characteristics are very different. Here it showcases the unique, special character of the region that combines native vines, sand, proximity to the ocean, strong sea winds and very deep roots to meet the clay substrate and allow it to stand. To produce wine in Colares is truly unique and requires tremendous effort. 95 year old Antonio Bernardino Paulo da Silva is one of the pioneers of the region and has the energy of Ramisco himself. His Ramisco's are vinified using oxidative techniques which, combined with the unique oceanfront terroir, gives Colares Chitas Tinto the characteristic salinity of the region's wines. Some say that these wines never age. You can easily give it another decade if you want.
On the one hand, great aromatic and flavour concentration, intensely oily sensation and richness in the mouth. On the other hand, excellent range, air and freshness. Multi-layered flavours and aromas, notes of quince, toast, caramel, along with strong dry-fruit elements. Richly sweet but with terrific lift and spirit leading to an exciting finish with...
