Text João Pedro de Carvalho | Translation Bruno Ferreira

Recently I visited Quinta do Gradil located in the foothills of Serra de Montejunto. According to information taken from the producer’s website it is considered one, if not the most, older estate of the Cadaval county with a strong wine tradition that lasts for centuries. It was accquired in the late 90s by António Gomes Vieira’s grandchildren, the precursor of the wine tradition in the family since 1945. In 2000 the new owners started the reconversion process of the whole vineyard area and opted for the grape varieties with greatest quality. In the 120 hectares of vineyard we can find many grapes varieties planted, both white and red. Sauvignon Blanc, Arinto, Viosinho, Viognier, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Tannat, Petit Verdot and Syrah are some examples. Eng. Bento Rogado is the responsible fot this rich landscape of vineyards and all of these grapes are vinified in the cellar coordinated by Eng. Pedro Martins under the attentive baton of winemakers Vera Moreira and António Ventura.

The small palace and the chapel were in a very advanced state of degradation when the new owners acquired the Quinta. They were both cleaned up and there’s already an ambitious project to rehabilitate them. The winery got some improvements and is now prepared a deep reformulation in the next two years. The old stables gave place to a socializing space. The Quinta’s restaurant also underwent a rehabilitation, the kitchen is in charge of Chef Daniel Sequeira, and it was there that we were welcomed and had the chance to taste and match some of the new wines with dishes of the new menu. A moment of relaxation where the wines showed themselves comfortable with the table and in this case with the proposals of the Chef.

The first to be served, Quinta do Gradil Sauvigon Blanc e Arinto 2014, showed up young and with a good freshness, good connection between the grape varieties, matching the more exotic and vegetal side of the Sauvignon with the citric and freshness of the Arinto. A good combination that results in a direct and very pleasant wine in the company of well-seasoned starters as was the case in the photo above.

Quinta do Gradil Sauvigon Blanc e Arinto 2014 in quintadogradil.pt

Quinta do Gradil Chardonnay 2014 in quintadogradil.pt

Quinta do Gradil Chardonnay 2014 shows a more bodied profile than the previous one because the wine has some more fats that grant it uncotuosity and wheight. The fruit comes in the format of white pulp fruit with lemon and pear, all wrapped in a good freshness with the gentle warmth of the barrel in a well-balanced set.

While the varietal show the best of each year the Reserva are the most special of this house and are only created when the achieved quality is in a superior level. So Quinta do Gradil Reserva branco 2013 came out, it’s a blend of Arinto and Chardonnay with a passage in barrel. It’s a wine quite more serious, cohese and with good complexity, fresh, and with a slight unctuosity wrapping up the fruit, slightly vegetal with scent herbs. Good amplitude in the mouth of a fresh and tasty wine with good presence.

In terms of reds I only tasted one wine and showed up well, it was the Quinta do Gradil Syrah 2013. Gluttonous and with a fruit that makes it very appealing, the slight chemical touch that shows at first in the glass little to nothing bothers. Then it’s a bazaar of good things passing in front of the nose, from chocolates, spices, to fruit with a little jam, good freshness in a wine with harmony that still shows signs that will endure over time.

Quinta do Gradil Reserva branco 2013 in quintadogradil.pt

Quinta do Gradil Syrah 2013 in quintadogradil.pt

Quinta do Gradil Sparkling Wine Chardonnay e Arinto 2013 in quintadogradil.pt

Finally and for farwell I tasted the Quinta do Gradil Sparkling Wine Chardonnay e Arinto 2013,  a wine that pleased by its freshness and fruit elegance. Has fine bubbles and shows good pairing bewtween the two grape varieties. Persistant acidity in a set with a slight unctuosity. A very pleasant and festive wine ready for some starters served on the terrace.

Contacts
Estrada Nacional 115 Vilar
2550 – 073 Vilar | Cadaval
Portugal
Tel: (+351) 262 770 000
Fax: (+351) 262 777 007
Mobile: (+351) 917 791 974
E-mail: info@quintadogradil.pt
Website: www.quintadogradil.pt