Our stars of the week

The results from the 11th edition of the Sommelier Wine Awards are out and we are winners.

In this edition were tasted around 3000 wines and there were 120 on-trade companies applying. This competition has the difference of being judged by the on-trade, for the on-trade.

The wines are tasted blind and by category, with a strict rule of price/quality.

Our stars are the Quinta do Espinho Colheita 2013 and Quinta do Espinho Reserva 2011 with Gold and Bronze medals respectively.

The Quinta do Espinho Colheita 2013

Is Produced with the traditional Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca grape varieties. Partially aged in French oak barrels for 6 months. The judges’ comments were:

“Spring Restaurant’s Antoine Cabre enjoyed this Gold winner’s ‘lovely, attractive nose with nice freshness, a sharp attack but fresh and fruity character, and well-balanced spices’, while team leader Annette Scarfe MW also found it ‘juicy and spicy, with a warming finish but soft and structured, ripe tannins’. Cavalry & Guards Club’s Andre Luis Martins found ‘rich cherry notes with some meaty character, too’, while team leader Lionel Periner recommended this be paired with duck.”

The Quinta do Espinho Reserve 2011

This wine is produced with Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. Aged in French oak barrels of 500L for 12 months. The judge’s comments were:

A ‘lovely example’, began team leader Annette Scarfe MW, who found ‘ripe black and red fruits with soft, ripe tannins and a juicy mid-palate’, while Spring Restaurant’s Antoine Cabre highlighted ‘lovely pepper and berries, and a good, complex palate style’.

Thank you to Portuguese Fine Wine Co., they sell our wines in the UK market and have been doing an amazing job.