Primus Quinta da Pellada 2011

Parker über: Primus Quinta da Pellada

-- Parker: The 2011 Primus Quinta da Pellada is mostly an old vines field blend with everything from Verdelho and Terrantez to Bical, although Castro says that the wine is dominated by Encruzado, the region’s familiar white grape. As seems quite typical for Castro’s style with this bottling, it is a wine of remarkable elegance, subtle but persistent. As I’ve learned, though, this is something worth sitting with and that you have to sit with. When I first saw it in Portugal, I thought it was very fine, but a bit underwhelming. After a second look in the USA, with a few more months in the bottle and time to play with it, I began to realize how very fine it was. Wonderfully fresh, with a mid-palate that has now fleshed out and shows more fullness than was first apparent, it has remarkable texture on the palate. It is surprisingly viscous in its youth and quite mouth coating. While remaining elegant, it seems to have remarkable concentration in fruit. There is a tinge of oak, but that integrates quite well and quickly. This is unevolved and was unreleased when tasted. It is a wine that can grow on you and age. Indeed, Castro says that he would prefer to release the wine late around 5 years from vintage date if he could afford to hold it back. I don’t think that is necessary – it drinks beautifully now. He is completely right, though, that it can age and will improve with cellaring. If this evolves as I think it will – and at the moment, I have relatively little doubt – it will be brilliant. 95/100