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)
See
also:
Visiting
the Douro (series)
Wines
tasted 03/14
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
Back
to top
|