Steven Spurrier give his verdict, tasting notes and drinking windows on wines from Brazil
More famous for sport than wine, Brazil nevertheless has a vine-growing heritage that is coming to the fore. Steven Spurrier picks his top six wines from Brazil…
Cave Geisse, Pinto Bandeira, Serra Gaúcha, Brazil, 1998
95
A 70% Chardonnay/30% Pinot Noir blend in magnum. Fine, full gold colour; bready, honeyed and rich on the nose; very rich and complex on the palate. Beautifully textured and mature.
1998
Cave Geisse
Lidio Carraro, Merlot, Grande Vindima, Encruzilhada do Sul, Brazil, 2005
93
<p>Lidio Carraro, Grande Vindima Merlot, Encruzilhada do Sul, Brazil 2005. Fine deep red with mature rim, very Merlot/ Pomerol nose with cassis, spice and chocolate. Rich on the palate; full, fleshy yet elegant and firm. Very good indeed.</p>
2005
Lidio Carraro
Pizzato DNA99, Vale dos Vinhedos, Serra Gaúcha, Brazil, 2008
93
Superb black-purple-red, a nose of dark summer fruits and lovely natural richness on the palate. Oak blended to show voluptuous texture, and elegant tannins.
2008
Pizzato DNA99Vale dos Vinhedos
Lidio Carraro, Pinot Noir, Dádivas, Encruzilhada do Sul, Brazil, 2012
91
Deep with purple rim, lovely black cherries, Pinot on the nose, lovely texture and fruit on the palate. Good energy and depth.
2012
Lidio Carraro
Miolo Sesmarias, Campanha, Brazil, 2008
91
<p>Miolo Sesmarias is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Tempranillo aged for two years in new French oak and bottled without fining or filtration. Deep purple-red, great depth of fruit with spice, black chocolate and lots of grip. Tannins still there but the fruit dominates. Has a great future.</p>
2008
Miolo Sesmarias
Casa Valduga, Raizes Cabernet Franc, Campanha, Brazil, 2010
88
Also from Campanha, this has a good deep colour, very good red-fruit nose and is crunchy and fresh on the palate. The oak (50% French, 50% American) is well blended in. Nicely extracted with some elegance.
2010
Casa Valduga