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The way that they conceive a wine, the deep understanding of their region, is the starting point for this project; the true inspiration for their story. Hence the Brand (Conceito = Concept).

Port wine has monopolized wine production here since the 18th Century, producing a landscape of extraordinary beauty but its only until recently that people have become aware of the tremendous potential that the eastern Douro has to offer. With the development and improvement of better access routes, and the explosion towards making dry table wines has truly created a revolution in the area. It has largely been this latter factor that has opened the way to an array of various styles, and expression throughout and along the Douro rivers course which will inevitably come to express its various “terroirs” and micro-climates.

For them understanding, working properly within the vineyards widely differing altitudes, soils and microclimates is a journey from which there is no turning back, and one upon which they wholeheartedly have embark on search for freshness and balance within their terrain. This is what they believe in. That is their Concept!

The balance of wine starts within the vineyard, the secret lies in the fruit, but it also depends on the care invested in the winemaking process. For a manual harvest which is always faced with the great challenge of fruit selection: an initial selection is done in the vineyard and a second sorting takes place in the cellar on the selection table before the grapes are removed from the stalks. Thermo-controlled vats (of different sizes) are sufficient in number to provide an almost unlimited capacity for micro-winemaking, observing the origin of the grapes from their arrival in the cellar up to the end of the winemaking process.

The combination of state-of-the-art stainless steel vats and traditional granite presses is an embodiment of the union between modernity and tradition that reigns in the cellar. As for the rest, everything is done to prevent excesses, whether in relation to temperature or extraction. The respect for the character of the wines is guided by the constant quest for balance in each wine and in each winemaking process. And anything that does not fall within this Concept is not worthy of our name!

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Douro Red 2006 (750mL)
Delivers an intense dark, ruby color, with earthy and spice aromas married with concentrated flavors of forest berries, together with the unmistakable Douro character of smoky rocks (slate) that doesn’t overwhelming the other parts. On the palate it is vibrant with a very well defined structure, good freshness and fine tannins that are long and persistent.

 

 

 

 

Douro Red 2007 (750mL)
Wine Spectator score: 90 points (Feb 28, 2010)
"A polished and ripe red, with intense flavors of dark plum, kirsch and dark cherry. Well-sculpted, with medium-grained tannins and loads of dark chocolate, espresso and spice.

eParker score: 90 points (# 186 Dec 2009)
"The 2007 Tinto is very seductive, pure, round and velvety, with a sensual texture and complex flavors. It is nuanced by oak, but that recedes more and more Into the background as it airs out. Air brings out the fine structure, too, and this is pointed and precise, elegant and graceful in the mid-palate.

 

Contraste Vinho Tinto 2007 (750mL)
Wine Spectator score: 89 points (Feb 28, 2010)
"Lovely aromas of plum and red fruits flow into the palate, along with raspberry and red cherry. Olive and savory herbal notes are well-defined on the minerally finish. Drink now through 2014. 650 cases made.

eParker score: 87 points (# 186 Dec 2009)
"Blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Sousao, aged in 70% French oak, the rest in stainless steel. On the elegant side in the mid-palate, this sports a serious backbone and shows some power on the finish. It is sweet and flavorful, though, with rather delicious fruit. There are some herb and plum nuances...

 

 

Bastardo Vinho Tinto 2008 (750mL)
This unique wine is made from the grape variety; Bastardo which captures the wonderful elements of Pinot Noir and joyfulness of Gamay while offering earthy notes surrounded by delicate bright cherry and cranberry with a mixture of dried spices, and incense that comes together to a serious, persistent, and dry finish. Despite its pale appearance it has a lot of texture and more than its fair share of spicy grip, and vibrant acidity to lift the whole wine and experience on the palate. This is a layered, firm and surprisingly structured wine for having such a delicate color.

 

 

Branco White 2008 (750mL)
Wine Spectator score: 89 points (Issue: Web Only - 2010)
"A powerful white, with plenty of smoke and spice behind the apple, pear and butterscotch flavors. The taut finish is filled with anise notes. Needs some time to flesh out. Best from 2011 through 2014. 800 cases made.

eParker score: 90 (# 186 Dec 2009)
"Comes from granitic soil and an old, pre-phylloxera vineyard 500 meters above sea level. It is a typical Douro blend of Rabigato, Codega do Larinho, Codega, Viosinho and Gouveio. Fresh and fairly complex, with a spicy note on the finish, a hint of green apple and good acidity, it is light in the mid-palate, but more persistent than seems apparent at first, developing beautifully with air and coating the palate. Elegant and attractive, very tasty, yet not at all simple, it is gripping on the finish and there is, perhaps, a touch of tannin. It is pretty pricey, but stylish. Although it spent 10 months in oak (a combination of French and Caucasian), only 40% new, it seems remarkably clean and fresh...

 

Contraste White 2008(750mL)
eParker score: 88 points (# 186 Dec 2009)
"The 2008 CONTRASTE Branco is a typical Douro blend of Rabigato, Codega do Larinho and Viosinho, which was 25% aged in oak for 6 months. Bright, clean and fresh, this is a lively wine with a friendly demeanor. Its finish and depth are average. Less complex and focused than the Branco reviewed this issue, this is perhaps even fresher, very friendly and quite charming.

 

 

Vintage Port 2005 (750mL)
Made from a blend of traditional grape varieties from the Quinta do Cabido, a family property; overlooking the Teja River. It offers intense aromas of dark fruits, Turkish dried figs, dark chocolate, and hints of violets, raisins, and white pepper with perfect balance and superb follow through with vibrant acidity making this an impressive Port with finesse while being robust and powerful.

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Port 2007 (750mL)
eParker score: 90 points (# 187 Feb 2010)
“The purple-colored 2007 Conceito Vintage Port offers up an attractive perfume of mineral, pencil lead, blackberry, and black currants. This leads to an elegantly styled wine with excellent volume, depth, and grip. It has enough structure to evolve for a decade along with layers of savory fruit for balance. This lengthy effort will offer a drinking window extending from 2015 to 2027. It is a sleeper of the vintage. As an aside, Jonas Gustafsson, the importer, has an outstanding Spanish portfolio so it is not a surprise to me that he has uncovered this little-known producer.”