Tasting Granja Amareleja Premium

    

Name: Granja Amareleja Premium

Variety: red blend (Moreto, Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alfrocheiro)

Region: Alentejo

Country: Portugal

Year: 2020

Price: €6

Portugal Vineyards review:  Violet colour, complex aromas of tobacco and vanilla, in the mouth is complex with traces of dry fruit, jam and spices, prolonged aftertaste.

Wine Folly: pp 264 and 266 discuss Portuguese wines and state that wines from Alentejo region have many wines that range from elegant to bold. The specific grapes of Moreto, Aragonez, Trincadeira, and Alfrocheiro are not discussed.

        

My Review:  On the nose I smelled dark berries and minerals.  The taste reinforced the dark fruit and mineral taste, however I also found the wine too dry and tannic-y at the start.  I remembered liking this wine in the past, and I felt a bit disappointed.  However, on it's own I thought the wine could have improved with more time (or food, see below).  Had another glass the following night, but it tasted like it was a little beyond it's peak.

Food Pairing:  Although the initial glass was disappointing, this wine later demonstrated that it was crafted to be enjoyed with food.  With hard cheeses the dryness of the wine was eliminated and instead I could taste a sweetness with the fruitiness.  Also, the minerality of the wine added a complexity, and I began to detect a tobacco flavor as well - very pleasing in the end!