Dona Santana
Classification
Dão Regional wine
Varieties
Touriga Nacional (60%), Tinta Roriz (20%), Jaen (10%), Alfrocheiro (10%)
Vintage
2011
Expect
Clear ruby red colour.
Sweet and floral aromas of ripened strawberries and blackcurrants.
Flavours of cherry and blackcurrant with well measured tannins and a full body.
Soil
Sandy with granite
Winemaking process
Hand picked grapes
Temperature controlled fermentation in large wooden barrels and steel tanks for 20 days
Matured in French Oak for 18 months
Alcohol by Volume
14.5%
Units of alcohol per bottle
10.9
Experts say
Praise for the 2009 Vintage
94 Point Finalist at the Ultimate Wine Challenge 2014 – “Nearly opaque black color. Smells of damp earth, forest floor, leaves, dried flowers in a yearbook. Taste profile is alive with blackberry jam and rhubarb flavors that merge well with the big-box tannins. Massive, good fruit.”
Gold at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2014.
Silver at IWC 2015 – “Sweet dark fruit, rich concentrated and plummy nose and palate. Fresh raspberry finish.”
Bronze at Decanter WWA 2015 – “Rich, ripe black fruit aromas lead to a juicy palate with silky, textured tannins, cherry flavours with notes of tobacco, chocolate and leather and a long, finish.”
Bronze at Decanter AWA 2015 – “Elegant nose of soft oak and sweet black fruit with floral overtones. Red fruited palate with a smoky background, crisp acidity, mellow tannins and a nice juicy finish.”
91 Points at Wine Enthusiast – “All four of Dâo’s indigenous red grapes—Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen and Alfrocheiro—are in this blend. It is rich and fruity wine, showing a lightly perfumed character against ripe black fruit tones. Drink now.”Roger Voss
90 Points Mark Squires, erobertparker.com – “It is completely charming, tastes great and doesn’t have a hair out of place, seeming serious, yet bursting with flavour.”
Pat –
I have been advocating for the Lemos to be sold on this site for some time now (I’ve had this and the Jaen on pre-order and have tasted the full range at the London wine fair). I was expecting to pay relatively big money when they arrived. I cannot tell you how shocked I was when I saw one for under a tenner! The more expensive ones, which I will review in time after I get my order sent in a day or so, are also a steal.
Now I’ve picked myself up off the floor I should tell you a bit about what I think of this wine. It’s powerful, rich in colour with a big hit on the nose. It has spices and a hint of vanilla on the palate. I drank it on it’s own but it would definitely stand up well to red meat or game. Perhaps with a sharp cheese (but probably not a creamy one).
Look, I can’t tell you what to do, but if you love red wine then take this exceptional introductory offer. I do not think there is a readily available red wine for under a tenner that you can buy that will touch this. I was expecting to pay twice this amount for it. So I’ve ordered twice as much!
My only regret is that I can only give it 5 stars. This site should have an extra rating for wines this good at this price. Bravo.
alistair.ayres –
This is a great wine and for this price is an absolute steal! Highly recommended.
Laura New –
Excellent with pasta and cheese dishes. Tastes expensive!!
Tom Greenland –
Very nice.
Steve Kilpatrick –
Big wine, but not too big. Punchy, fruity flavours. I’d drink again…better with food.
Chris Mitchelmore –
Massive red with all the trimmings, but without any of the downside.
Joel Lambregts –
Full bodied and punchy. Welcomingly overpowering. Great with chilli based dishes.
Louise Lambregts –
Very lovely.
James Paul –
Strong, consistant flavour. What I expect from a pleasant red.
Deac Rossell –
Robust, but a little soft. Very well balanced good wine.
James Hodges –
Well rounded. Great with heavy pudding/cheese.
Marian Cleary –
Consistent in its pleasure giving!
Kate –
A really good quality red – this is my dinner wine.
Chris Perry –
Sweet plums, cinammon and medium tannins.
emma –
Lovely
Carolina Gaspari –
This is a any time any where wine.
James Clark –
Young, fresh and fruity.
Kristina Heavens –
I like the logo! Went very well with the food [bacon and chorizo pasta].