To start with you need an ambitious owner. That Quinta de Gomariz has in Manuel da Silva Correia de Sá. Secondly you need skilled people around you which Manuel definitely has secured there are, and third – you need really good material to work with. And yes, a bunch of gold awards must be the ultimate proof you have some pretty nice stuff in the bottles.
With its 9 sub regions Vinho Verde parades with a diversity just awaiting an international discovery of greater proportions. The fact more wine writers starts tasting and writing about the region’s wines, the regional board continues the promotional work on the international scene and ultimately – when the consumer picks up a bottle of Anselmo Mendes, Soalheiro, Quinta do Ameal, Quinta do Feital or Quinta de Gomariz – there’s no stop to the potential of quality wines booming in Vinho Verde.
Quinta de Gomariz is today a 17 hectares large estate in the sub region of Vale do Ave. With vineyards on well drained and sun drenched locations the vines have all chances to reach full maturity and to show their full potential. Beyond the more recognized Alvarinho, Quinta de Gomariz also produces Loureiro, Avesso, Espadeiro, Padeiro, Trajadura and Vinhao. As winemaker the estate consults António Sousa – a respected winemaker in Vinho Verde, consulted by many.
So, what are the wines of Quinta de Gomariz like? Below you will find notes on six wines from the latest released vintage, 2009. There are the classic Alvarinho, a Loureiro, a blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura, an extremely rare single varietal Avesso, a rosé Espadeiro and an oddity – the red Vinhão.
Tasting notes:
Light yellow color. Floral aromas with orange peel, pineapple, gunpowder – a quite concentrated nose. Dry with an oily character, a touch of bitterness, quite fullbodied style with fine acidity. Long and pure finish. At the moment a bit too alcoholic but give it six months to integrate and it will be there. A new experience tasting a single varietal Avesso. Limited production though. 88 points.
Light color, almost watery. Floral nose – classic Loureiro! Oranges, gunpowder and a touch of jasmine. Restrained on the palate, high acidity and a fine dry taste. Acidity like a fine orange. Very good Loureiro and an exceptional food wine! 87 points.
More color to this one. A big nose almost reminiscent of a Muscat a Petit Grains, elder flower, oranges and green apples. Freaking high acidity – man I love it – with excellent concentration, jasmines, wet rocks, grape fruit and apple peel. Long. Such a fine example and it is good to see Trajadura! 89 points.
Light yellow-green color. A bit closed, slightly floral with notes of apples and pears. Close your eyes and imagine a summer rain hitting a newly paved tarmac road. There you have the Alvarinho! Zingy acidity, excellent structure and impressive concentration. Green apples, a touch of jasmine and a long mineral feel. Delicious. Further cellaring recommended though. 91 points.
Pale color – resembling a Provence rosé. Generous aromas of wild strawberries, slightly floral, wet rocks and a little funky. Never artificial in the taste the wine shows zingy acidity, floral notes, wet rocks and wild strawberries. Low alcohol but yet very tasty. Some length. A food friendly rosé! 87 points.
Dark, impenetrable color. Wow, what a cool wine. On the nose it’s barnyardy with notes of cough medicine and sour dark cherries. Funny, although unique in style it reminds me a bit of a really good Gamay. On the palate a good mouth feel with high acidity, red berries, licorice, herbs and leather. Dry taste, fine concentration and good length. One of the better Vinhão’s I’ve tasted. Would love to have the opportunity to serve this to a fat goose later this year. If served the traditional way in Vinho Verde, you get your Vinhão in china! 89 points.
