SINO DA ROMANEIRA

I find myself talking up great wines every single day; after all, it’s my job. Last year I talked up 2016 Quinta da Romaneira Reserva on this very page, and it is a magnificent wine slowly evolving into a Titan of the Douro. The 2017 vintages are in stock this year, and at thirty fewer pounds per bottle, this grand estate’s ‘Sino’ is sounding genuine alarm bells in the wine trade. So, in contrast to my lifelong, spend-more-and-spend-accurately mantra, I am genuinely talking you down this week so you can experience a thrilling red wine with a thoroughly reasonable price tag. Romaneira is run by Christian Seely, MD of AXA Millésimes, which controls the interests of legendary estates such as Châteaux Pichon Baron and Suduiraut as well as super-star Douro leviathan, Quinta do Noval. Carlos Agrellos makes Romaneira’s Ports and wines and while this is a small property and a less starry name than many, the wines crafted here are stunning. Sino is made from traditional varieties Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Tinto Cão, it is matured in old oak for ten months, and it sports a thoroughly genial 13.5% alcohol level. It is a pure and sonorous wine with immediate charm and drinkability. It is an epic advert for approachable classic Douro red wines, and there is more than a smattering of claret-like flair here – not surprising given Christian’s vinous heritage. So, apologies in advance for saving you some cash this week with this incredibly alluring, autumnal red wine. Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Sept 2021)

This is the equivalent of the second wine of Romaneira, following a Bordeaux model. It is a generous blend of four Douro grapes, dominated by Touriga Franca. At the three year mark, it is still fruity with blackberry flavors and a hint of mint, but the tannins have softened, giving a smoothly textured wine that is ready to drink. Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast www.winemag.com (Aug 2020)