The 2021 Pintas Character was produced with grapes from old, small plots around the original Pintas vineyards that were planted with a mixture of over 30 grape varieties on very poor schist soils with less iron, newer soils and very shallow, where Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca dominate. It was fermented in stainless steel and matured in barrels. It's fully ripe at 14.5% alcohol and generously oaked (only 10% of the barriques were used), but there is less than in the past, and it has good freshness and balance, with some austerity, notes of berry fruit and some resin. It's full-bodied and has grainy tannins. It should get polished with some more time in bottle, but it's still more approachable than Pintas.
93 points, Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)
This is a fresh and dark-fruited red showing notes of blackberries, black plums, olives and dried herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied, compact and sleek, with fine tannins and a stony minerality at the end. Drink or hold.
92 points, James Suckling (Feb 2024)
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