100% Baga planted in 1989 on soils with slightly more clay and surrounded by a eucalyptus forest, the Moinho typically has darker fruit and a lovely herbaceous character that gives it an almost Cabernet like quality. Some feel, when aged, these wines can be a dead ringer for cooler vintage left bank Bordeaux, although I say fruit profile is more right bank!. Grapes are de-stemed and fermented in stainless steel by native yeasts, then aged in new and used 650L casks for two years. Bottled without fining or filtration at 13% Alcohol.
A warmer fruit profile than the 2001, even now 22 years later. A sweet cherry fruit with soft, integrated acidity (all previous reviewers called it grapefruit-like, so I'm glad I get to taste it now, not then), and a rounder tannin structure. Dust, earth, mushrooms, clay, herbs, tea, gorgeous actually. From heavy clay soils this could easily be blinded for a Pomerol, except for the prevalence of tannin still coursing throughout. While in a great place of maturity, it may continue to develop, but will certainly stay in place another 5 years or more. The 2001 has more taut structure and brighter center, second is denser and bigger and more giving. - CD
"Luis Pato replanted his Quinta do Moinho vineyard in 1989, so these are some of the youngest Baga vines that he works with in Bairrada. The vineyard is surrounded by tons of eucalyptus trees, like Martha’s Vineyard in Napa Valley, and one does get a bit of their influence in the wines from this vineyard. His 2000 bottling is a current release and just starting to drink well, offering up a deep, black fruity and complex bouquet of dark berries, black cherries, dried eucalyptus, cigar smoke, gentle savory tones and a super base of dark soil elements. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and shows off excellent mid-palate depth, with impressive focus and grip, still a fair bit of mellowing backend tannin and a long, complex and well balanced finish. Fine juice. 2022-2060. 93+." -- John Gilman, A Vew From The Cellar
