A deep, dense and delicious wine from Portugal, fit for a splurge. We review the Dona Maria Grande Reserva from Julio Bastos.
50% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Syrah, 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Touriga Nacional from old vines in the estate Dom Martinho Vineyard in Alentejo, Portugal. The wine was fermented in lagares (open air tanks) and then aged one year in all new Hermitage French oak barrels.
Sample submitted for review. The Dona Maria Grande Reserva has an SRP of $59 and is available for as low as $40 (Saturday Splurge). It is imported by MS Walker Brands.
From the winery:
2018 Julio Bastos Dona Maria Grande Reserva
Region: Alentejo
Vineyard: Dom Martinho
Soil: Clay/Limestone
Elevation: 430 Meters
Grape Varieties: 50% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Syrah, 20% Petit Verdot, 10% Touriga NacionalVinification: This wine, vinified with selected grapes from old vines, was fermented in ancient marble lagares (open air tanks), using the traditional foot-treading method. Slowly mature in new French oak barrels for one year.
Aging: One year in Hermitage new French oak barrels
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Tasting Notes: Dark ruby color, with aromas of wild fruit, spices and mint. The palate is intense and well-rounded, showing silky tannins and a persistent finish.
Produced and Bottled by Julio Bastos
14.5% Alcohol
The 2018 Dona Maria Grande Reserva from Julio Bastos opens with lots of ripe, dark fruit aromas plus some raisiny, dried fruit notes. It also features nice touches of well-integrated spice, zesty orange and a bit of a stemmy, earthy note. It’s a great start.
Tasting the wine reveals it to be deep, dense and delicious. Filled with very juicy, tart, dark fruit just like the nose, this wine slaps your tastebuds awake! It also has a smooth mouthfeel and good acidity. And while it’s still a bit young with plenty of tannic grip, it is also quite lovely right now with even more development to come.
It ends dry, very long, juicy and chewy and was just as good on day 2. This is really delicious and definitely splurgeworthy.
You can also find more of our favorite wines from Portugal here.
Review Summary
Julio Bastos Dona Maria Grande Reserva Review • Reverse Wine Snob
A deep, dense and delicious wine from Portugal, fit for a splurge. We review the Dona Maria Grande Reserva from Julio Bastos.
10
Pros
- 94+ points, Saturday Splurge selection
- Still young, lots of development left
Cons
- Expensive ($40)
- May be hard to find
