2003 Vinha Barossa, Luis Pato, Bairrada
Surprisingly this is not massively deep in colour, being a bright ruby hue with good clarity. The nose is a delight with elegant notes of wild berry fruits, spice and a herbal touch. As the wine opens up the fruit gains in richness and intensity. Pato uses no new oak here but one can get the faintest inkling of the oak on the nose. The palate is terrific with a lovely core of sleek minerality adorned with ripe red berry and cherry fruits and a subtle spice note. There is a firm backbone of tannin as one would expect from Baga but the finish is a long, elegant delight of minerals, fruit and spice. A truly superb wine with good ageing potential.