Vino Cava Specialty Wine Imports

Region: Terras do Sado

Wine grapes have been grown here on the Setúbal peninsula south of Lisbon for centuries, starting from the time of the Phoenicians. The beautiful beaches of this area give way to old vineyards stretching throughout the land. DOC Palmela wines are primarily red and made from Castelão, which ripens here more effectively than anywhere else in Portugal. DOC Setúbal is the famous sweet, fortified wine of the region made from Muscat grown in the center of the peninsula. Vinho Regional Terras do Sado is an increasingly successful regional designation that allows a variety of grapes. Often the wines are made from Castelão blended with international varieties.



Casa Ermelinda Freitas

Leonor Freitas is the fourth generation of winemakers in her family. The Freitas family started bottling their wines in 1997, and have recently expanded their beautiful estaste to plant almost 40 new hectares of Syrah and Castelão. Their wines integrate the modern and traditional, with lagares still in use along with a modern bottling room and the latest vinification techniques. Casa Ermelinda wines have won a number of awards in international competitions, including “Best Wine of Portugal” at Vinalies Paris 2008 for their 2005 Syrah.

Casa Ermelinda Freitas Branco 2007 750ml Varietal: 35% Fernão Pires, 35% Arinto, and 30% Antão Vaz Winery: Casa Ermelinda Freitas Appellation: Vinho Regional Terras do Sado TASTING NOTES Color: Lemon with green tints Nose: Fruity aromas hinting of tropical and citrus fruits Palate: Clean and fresh with grapefruit and lemon rind, a nice splash of steely minerality, and a zippy finish *85 points, Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #180, Dec 2008) “It is easygoing and friendly, with up front fruit flavors and quite tasty. It has the acidity to make it lively and refreshing as well….this is likely to be a crowd pleaser at a good price.”

Casa Ermelinda Freitas Tinto 2006 Varietal: 30% Castelão, 30% Touriga Nacional, 20% Syrah and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Casa Ermelinda Freitas Appellation: Vinho Regional Terras do Sado TASTING NOTES Color: Bright ruby Nose: Aromas of ripe red fruit, cedar, and floral Palate: Soft, young red with ripe black fruit and tobacco flavors. Well-structured, delicious, with soft tannins and a smooth finish. Aging: Four months in French and American oak *87 points, Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #180, Dec 2008) “It projects a delicious medley of flavors at different times, cherries, plums, blackberries and a touch of rhubarb…. it is focused, sunny and charming. In a vintage that saw many producers struggle, this is a very good performance for an entry level wine.”

Casa Ermelinda Freitas Reserva 2004 Varietal: 40% Castelão from 50-year-old vines, 40% Touriga Nacional and 20% Syrah Winery: Casa Ermelinda Freitas Appellation: Vinho Regional Terras do Sado TASTING NOTES Color: Deep ruby Nose: Aromas of black fruits, spices and vanilla, and some jam due to long maturation Palate: In the mouth dense, full, with great structure, tannins present but well integrated and soft. Long, pleasant finish. Aging: 12 months in French oak followed by 18 months in bottle. *88 points, Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #180, Dec 2008)

Casa Ermelinda Freitas Trincadeira 2006 Varietal: 100% Trincadeira Winery: Casa Ermelinda Freitas Appellation: Vinho Regional Terras do Sado TASTING NOTES Color: Bright ruby Nose: Black cherry, licorice, and toasty aromas Palate: Wonderfully bright raspberry fruit, spicy, peppery, herbal flavors, and a touch of balsamic. Rich, balanced, spicy red. Intense, long finish. Aging: Eight months in American and French oak

Leo d’Honor 2003 Varietal: Casa Ermelinda’s special selection wine, made from 100% Castelão grapes, late-picked from 70-year-old vines and macerated for five weeks Winery: Casa Ermelinda Freitas DOC: Palmela TASTING NOTES Color: Opaque purple Nose: Powerful, intense, extremely complex, with concentrated aromas of black fruit and spice. Palate: On the palate, rich blackberry flavors combined with cocoa and tobacco. Full-bodied, with firm, integrated tannins and an elegant finish. Aging: Aged in small French oak for 12 months followed by 12 months in large barrels. *90 points, Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #180, Dec 2008) “Ripe, young Castelao can sometimes project a candied note at first, if you haven’t had it before, but it can also be pretty sexy. The fruit on first attack is simply delicious, though, throwing off ripe strawberries and rhubarb nuances…It is very bright, elegantly wrought and aromatic. It also easily has the best structure in the group, showing significant tannins on the finish that should allow it to age gracefully for several more years in the cellar. I liked this as much or better every time I came back to over the course of several hours, as it became more distinctive and complex, while remaining persistent and fresh….”