The wines of Quinta do Popa, Douro, Portugal

Quinta do Pôpa
Reviewing this new producer from Portugal's Douro Valley

Stéphane Ferreira (above) is the man behind Quinta do Pôpa. He comes from a marketing and events production background. Stéphane’s father José Ferreira was originally from the Douro, and returned to buy the Quinta in 2003, which was renamed Pôpa from its original name of Vidiedo. It was originally just 9 hectares of vines but new plots have been acquired, and now it’s up to 30 hectares. 2007 was the first year of production and they started selling wine in 2010.

The winemaking is in the hands of celebrated Bairrada producer Luis Pato. ‘Pôpa’ is the nickname of José’s father, as well as being a Portuguese term for an Elvis-style hairstyle (apparently, although I have limited references available to confirm this). It refers to the fact that even after a day in the vineyards, his father’s hair was always immaculate.

THE WINES

Pôpa Branco 2013 Douro, Portugal
40% Viosinho, 20% Cerceal, 20% Folgazão, 20% Rabigato. Lovely pure white peach and pear fruit with nice texture and some lemony acidity. Stylish. 89/100 (10/14)

Pôpa 2012 Douro, Portugal
20% old vines, 14% alcohol. Sweet cherry and plum fruit nose is fresh and quite expressive with a hint of spicy richness. Supple palate with good definition to the ripe fruit. Not a blockbuster style, but with nice freshness and lovely focused cherry and plum fruit. 89/100 (10/14)

Pôpa Cantos da Terra 2013 Douro, Portugal
Fresh, sweet red cherries and plums. Very attractive and bright with a supple fruity character and a bit of spicy grip. Quite delicious in a drinkable style, but still has Douro character. 89/100 (10/14)

Quinta do Pôpa Touriga Nacional 2011 Douro, Portugal
Sweet, open spicy nose with some floral black cherry and tar notes, as well as hints of caramel and red apple. Ripe but fresh palate with sweet black fruits, some spicy oak and sweet herbal characters. Ripe and warm but with an open, inviting character. I think the cork, which is very soft, may not have been completely sound. 88/100 (10/14)

Quinta do Pôpa Touriga Nacional 2009 Douro, Portugal
From young vines. Fresh and open with cherryish, plummy fruit. A light, supple style. 87/100 (03/13)

Quinta do Pôpa Tinta Roriz 2011 Douro, Portugal
Sweet, ripe, smooth black fruits nose with a hint of caramel. Ripe and open. Sweet berry and black fruits palate with some spicy oak framing and a savoury, spicy finish. Sweet and a bit grippy. 90/100 (10/14)

Quinta do Pôpa Tinta Roriz 2009 Douro, Portugal
30 year old vines. Fine and expressive with lovely cherry and plum fruit. Nice spiciness with some grainy structure. 90/100 (03/13)

Quinta do Pôpa Vinhas Velhas 2011 Douro, Portugal
21 varieties in this blend. Brooding sweet, war, spicy nose with complex notes of raspberry, black cherry and hebs. The palate has a lovely grippy, savoury spiciness with subtle tar and herb notes alongside the structured, fresh black cherry and plum fruit. Grippy and fresh, with potential for development. 92/100 (10/14)

Quinta do Pôpa Vinhas Velhas 2009 Douro, Portugal
Warm, fresh and spicy with a bit of earthiness, some baked cherries and a nice grippy edge. 91/100 (03/13)

Quinta do Pôpa Vinhas Velhas 2008 Douro, Portugal
Balsamic spicy oak notes on the nose. The palate is warm and spicy with some herby notes. Mellow with a grippy edge and some warm oak notes. 90/100 (03/13)

Quinta do Pôpa Homenagem 2009 Douro, Portugal
Lifted, warm, spicy, slightly herbal nose. Pepper, herbs and spices. The palate is spicy and earthy, showing complexity and good acidity, with some peppery notes. Good structure. 92/100 (03/13)