Our latest Trader Joe’s find is a Portuguese red blend, the Vinha da Fonte Reserva from Casa Ermelinda Freitas.
A blend of 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Castelao, 20% Syrah, 20% Touriga Nacional and 10% Alicante Bouschet from Peninsula de Setubal in southern Portugal. The wine is aged in a combination of French and American oak for 12 months and is vegan friendly.
In the US, this wine appears to be available exclusively at Trader Joe’s. It has an SRP of $13 and retails at TJ’s for $8.99. It is imported by Asgram.
From the bottle:
A family run company, Casa Ermelinda Freitas was founded in 1920 in Fernando Po, Southern Portugal. The quality of the wines are recognized globally, validated by the hundreds of international awards they have earned. This intense and elegant wine, elaborated with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Castelao, 20% Syrah, 20% Touriga Nacional and 10% Alicante Bouschet, the wine was aged in French and American oak casks for the period of 12 months, with the intention of adding complexity. The bouquet has fine aromatic notes of black fruits and sweet spices for the oak aging, the palate is rich and smooth perfect to accompany complex dishes, red meat and cheeses. Drink between 61-64F. Store for a recommended maximum of 10 years.
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14.5% Alcohol
The 2020 Casa Ermelinda Freitas Vinha da Fonte Reserva opens with a pleasing aroma of dark, raisiny fruit plus black pepper and spice notes.
The wine features similar fruit when tasting but it is rich and slightly sweet in the mouth. Smooth and slightly tannic, it has great depth of flavor and plenty of oaky spice too.
It ends mostly dry on the oaky finish that might even have a touch of minerality. This is pretty satisfying.
You can also find more of our favorite wines from Portugal here.
