Casa Ferreirinha 'Vinha Grande' Douro Tinto 2023

Crafted from classic Douro varieties like Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional at Casa Ferreirinha's Quinta do Sairrão estate, this balances tradition with a touch of refinement. Eighteen months in used French barrels let its ripe blackberry and subtle vanilla cinnamon notes shine without overpowering oakiness. Quite full with a nice bite of grippy tannins, it has a concentration of fruit matched by a refreshing lift that sets it apart. Here's a wine whose reputation, like a good jumper, hasn't lost its shape over the years - still reliable, still quietly impressive.

A good match for this would be something equally rich and robust - perhaps roast lamb with rosemary, or a hearty beef stew - to let its dark fruit, spice, and touch of tannin really do their bit.

Casa Ferreirinha made what turned out to be a shrewd move in the 1950s, being the first in the Douro to make table wines in favour of Port - a choice that’s since been completely vindicated. Now part of the Sogrape group, they command a fair stretch of the Douro with over 500 hectares, including the jewel in their crown, Quinta de Leda. This flagship estate produces some of their finest wines under the seasoned hand of Luís Sottomayor, head winemaker. Their success has paved the way for many others, showing that the Douro’s more than capable of producing refined, unfortified wines