Portugal — wine

Colares DOC

Atlantic coast northwest of Lisbon on the Sintra-Cascais coastline; perhaps the world's most unusual viticultural conditions. Ramisco red and Malvasia de Colares white grown in deep coastal sand dunes — phylloxera cannot survive in sand, leaving ancient ungrafted vines intact for over 400 years. Fierce Atlantic winds, salt spray, and sandy soils produce unique, mineral-saline wines. Some of Portugal's rarest.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Atlantic conditions challenging but Ramisco on sand dunes resilient; tiny production of typical Colares character
2021 Good vintage; pre-phylloxera vines in Atlantic dunes performed well; rare Colares production well-received
2020 Outstanding Atlantic vintage; Ramisco from centenarian vines showing remarkable depth; one of recent standout years
2019 Classic Colares profile; sea spray and iodine mineral very pronounced; Malvasia fresh and saline
2018 Variable Atlantic conditions; sandy dune drainage essential; cooperative maintained quality of tiny production
2017 Good vintage; ancient Ramisco vines on coastal dunes resilient; mineral salinity characteristic of the site
2016 Superb Colares vintage; Ramisco from this year considered among finest of the century; cellar 20+ years