Antonio Lopes Ribeiro 2017 (Casa de Mouraz) Vinho Verde "Biotite"

From the lovely couple at Casa de Mouraz, Biotite is mostly Loureiro (with 10% Arinto) from certified organic vineyards in the Vinho Verde region, grown on granitic soils in the valley of the Lima River. This is a lovely mineral driven white, and a real eyeopener to the potential of the Vinho Verde wines. Most people just know the spritzy low alcohol whites (from early harvested usually under-ripe grapes), but this is a real wine, made from mature fruit and allowed to ferment naturally for a different kind of expression. Enjoy on its own on a sunny afternoon or with seafood, chicken, vegetables, sushi, salads, and cheeses. Stone fruit, salinity, and good concentration on the mid-palate. 2017 is really a fantastic vintage for this wine!    ~Eben Lillie

Antonio Madeira 2017 Dão Branco

Not to be confused with the island of Madeira, winemaker Antonio Madeira is dedicated to celebrating the best vineyards in the Dão. He is focused on preserving old vines of native Portuguese varieties and farms his small parcels organically and all by hand. This bottling is a field blend  of around twenty different grapes grown on granite soils. It is spontaneously fermented and then aged in ~80% stainless steel, the rest in  oak barrels keeping the focus of this wine on the bright acidity and fruit aromas.

Aphros 2018 Phaunus Pet Nat Rose Vinho Espumante

A refreshing rose sparkler from Aphros winery, this is a blend of Alvarelhao and Vinhao, made in Pet-Nat (or Ancestral) style. Tasty, fresh, and very pale in the glass, with bright acidity and subtle fruit mingling with hibiscus and rosewater notes.   -EL

Casa de Saima 2017 Bairrada Baga Bruto

Casa de Saima 2018 Bairrada Tonel 10

Casa de Saima is located in the heart of Bairrada , producing cuvees from 18 hectares of vines in the region. Tonel 10 comes from 50-year-old Baga vines from Casa de Saima’s oldest vineyard. The grapes are hand-harvested, crushed by foot, and then allowed to spontaneously ferment in lagar for about seven days. The wine is then matured in large, seasoned oak vats for one year. The result is the lightest cuvée from Casa de Saima. It is a ruby color in the glass with a nose of wild strawberry, cassis, bramble fruit and earth. The palate shows density, but it never overpowers. Showcasing juicy, bright red fruits, terrific acidity and soft tannins, this is a lovely lighter styled Baga. Pair with roasted chicken thighs, lamb burgers, or alheira.

Cozs (Antonio Marquez e Tiago Teles) 2018 Bairrada Vital Branco

100% Vital from 35 year old vines, planted in Serra de Montejunto, about 10 miles from the Atlantic. The wine is macerated for 3 days and then pressed to ferment with native yeast in old Burgundy barrels for 11 months. Vital, a rare variety only grown in Western Portugal, is  characterized by it's lower acid content and fleshy profile.This carries over to the Vital Blanco, with gorgeous notes of green apple, minerals, a slight creaminess, and fresh green herbs. A savory spice is in the palate, while the nose shows orchard fruit, white flowers and almond skin. The wine is medium body and on the richer style, similar to a lovely Rhone Valley white. This would pair well with dover sole, seafood stews, or chicken in a cream sauce. JDC

Cozs (Antonio Marquez e Tiago Teles) 2018 Bairrada Vital Macerado

A delightful and idyllic orange wine from Tiago Teles and Antonio Marques-da Cruz. 100% Vital - a rare local grape from the Serra de Montejunto near Lisbon, with two weeks of maceration on the skins, and aging for about a year in old barrels. From my little experience with Vital, there is a LOT of character, but it's not overwhelmingly fragrant on the nose. Along with subtle overtones of stone fruit and salt, there are lovely aromas of crushed skins that are given a chance. Delicate tannins, and a finish that is a bit more refined and long, compared to the young and vivacious 2018 Vital white. We are still learning as we drink "orange" or skin-contact wines, and there are many to try. Some derived from aromatic varieties like Muscat and Gewurztraminer, can be wildly interesting but quite pronounced. Others, from long macerations, can be particularly astringent from high tannin levels. Here is a noteworthy contribution to the mix. Elegant, and food friendly. Well worth a try for fans of skin contact (or what we could just call good) wines.  -EL

Duckman (Joao Pato) 2019 Vinho Branco

Filipa Pato 2017 Bairrada Tinto 'Nossa Calcario'

Jackpot (Ramilo e filho) 2018 Vinho Regional Lisboa

 This is our favorite value red in the store. A medium-full bodied red, with nice blackberry fruit and smooth tannins. A blend of Aragones (Tempranillo) and Castelao, wild yeast fermentation, and farmed sustainably.

Quinta da Mariposa 2015 Dao Vinho Tinto

Lúcia Freitas manages Quinta da Mariposa, located in Carregal do Sal in the Dao región of Portgal. The Dao is home to Portugal’s oldest varieties, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. Mariposa’s 2015 tinto is a blend of both of these varieties and a little bit of Jaen (or, Mencia). It shows notes of wild strawberry, bramble, some brown spice and fresh herbs.  JDC

Quinta da Serradinha 2015 Leiria Vinho Tinto

Quinta da Serradinha 2017 Leiria Vinho Branco (Arinto e Fernao Pires)

Antonio Marques da Cruz runs the Quinta do Serradinha winery, Portugal's first certified organic estate (Organic since 1994). The winery is located north of Lisbon and wines are quite traditional here, with stone lagars for crushing and big old barrels for aging. The Branco is a fascinating blend of Arinto and Fernão Pires, two local grapes. Aromas of anise and herbs, with some salinity and citrus on the palate. The Arinto delivers fresh acidity that frames the long finish. A dynamic white wine and with uniquely Portuguese character.   -EL

Quinta do Regueiro 2018 Vinho Verde Alvarinho

Ramilo 2017 Colares Malvasia

We are delighted to have the first vintage of the Ramilo family’s Malvasia. From two hectares of rare and ungrafted vines in Colares, about one kilometer from the Atlantic. The soil here is comprised of clay, under about a meter of sand. The vines are trained low to the sand, permitting longer maturation of the fruit, while the light and heat reflected by the sand raises the fairly low temperature. After an October harvest period, 50% of the wine is fermented in stainless steel, while the other 50% is fermented on the skins in an open air lagar for seven days. This skin contact gives the Malvasia gorgeous notes of orange blossom, sea spray, plush flowers and salt. The palate continues these notes, along with the classic Colares profile of minerality, salinity, crisp acidity and tart citrus. This is one of our favorite wines, made for a dish like seafood stews, salt cod, and shrimp tempura. JDC

Sidónio de Sousa 2015 Bairrada Reserva

Sidónio de Sousa's Reserva Tinto is a savory, medium to full-bodied expression of Baga, from clay-limestone soils in the Ancas-Bairrada. Pressing and fermentation happens in traditional small cement lagars, with aging for a year in large 4000L barrels, and a further two years in bottle before release. Pepper, black currant, oregano, and fresh earth abound. For a wine under $20, this traditional Baga over-delivers, providing the leather and cedar notes of a fine Bordeaux mixed with the finesse of Nebbiolo. Perhaps an old fashioned wine in style, this is no fault! A great value.  -EL

Sidónio de Sousa 2015 Rose Brut Nature

Sol Real 2018 Vinho Verde

Tiago Teles 2016 Bairrada Gilda

70% Castelão Frances, 25% Alfrochiero, and 5% Merlot from the unforgettable Tiago Teles, in the Bairrada DO of Portugal. Tiago is in spirit and practice aligned with what some call the "natural wine" movement. Fermentation is always with indigenous yeast, with minimal addition of sulfur, and very little extraction, new oak, or any other modern techniques. He's enthusiastic about Portugal's history and the future of winemaking in this small but important country. The Gilda is medium bodied, with great energy and acidity to keep it fresh. An exciting addition to our Portugese section! Total SO2 17mg/l (that's low!) Eben Lillie

Vale da Capucha 2017 Vinho de Portugal (Torres Vedr "Poco do Gado" Gouveio

Vale da Capucha 2017 Vinho de Portugal (Torres Vedr Arinto

Viuva Gomes 2011 Colares Red Wine (500 ml)