Quinta do Corujão Reserva Red 2007 scoops IWC 2010 Dão Trophy

Quinta do Corujão Reserva Red 2007 was awarded the Dão Trophy 2010 at the International Wine Challenge Awards on Tuesday.  Tasted last night, it’s a great example of modern Dão from a cracking vintage and well worth seeking out.  Here’s my tasting note:

This blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen and Trincadeira is deep red, with a purplish, aubergine core – no shortage of colour to this granite lagares-fermented wine.  Aged in French oak for 8 months, on the nose it shows savoury oak, lifted spice and pine needle hints, all of which follow through on the palate, together with ripe but juicy red and black  brambly fruits and dark chocolate. Very tight and savoury on the finish as ripe but present tannins and the oak assert themselves over a seam of bright fruit, it promises to have a long and delicious life ahead. Decant it and, as its fruit unfurls, you’ll also be rewarded with orange peel/blossom notes, which took me right back to a single varietal Touriga Nacional I tasted at Quinta do Noval last December (see here). £15.49 at Noel Young

Click here for a roll call of all the IWC Trophy winners.