Cigarra Shiraz Tinta Barroca 2012

Gil Scott-Heron said “if it ain’t broke, don’t break it”. Wise words. You people are loving Portuguese wines. We don’t want to break that, so we’re gonna give you another. From the same stable as one of our other firm favourites, the new Cigarra Shiraz Tinta Barroca is even sexier stuff. With black cherries, plums and liquorice, this is poetry, bottled. The revolution will be Portuguese, whether it will or will not be televised, we cannot confirm at this stage.
Made by Casa Santos Lima who also produce our Quinta Bons Ventos. This is fermented in a mix of cement and stainless steel vats, maceration takes place for 28 days and the wine is finally aged in oak barrels for 3 to 4 months. Tinta Barroca is more traditionally used in Port, it provides tannins, dark colour and floral and berry aromas. Intense aromas of ripe, black and red fruits. On the palate, it's extremely fruity and spicy, mixing plums and cherries, well balanced with hints of oak and an agreeable acidity. At the finish flavours or spice and liquorice dominate along with the fine tannins to a very persistent and agreeable finish. Olly Smith described this as "Cracking vino. Fragrant, spicy, juicy with oodles of lip-smacking flavour and a fab silky texture. Lovely wine from Lisbon and brilliant value.", we whole-heartedly agree!