Mateus Nicolau de Almeida 'O Tinto Perfeito O Clarete' 2020

Grower: Mateus Nicolau de Almeida

Region: Duoro, Portugal
Grape Varieties: Tinta Roiz, Malvasia Fina, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional
Viticulture: Organic, Biodynamic
Category: Red
Size: 750ml

Selection Massale, one of our favorite importers, launched a special line of everyday drinking, bistro-inspired red wines they called 'The Perfect Red' back in 2018. The Portuguese rendition was done by Mateus Nicolau de Almeida, a fifth generation winemaker from the Douro. Hailing from a family with a deep history in Port production, Mateus has branched out to explore the different subzones of the Douro through the lens of dry red and white wines. Farming is organic and biodynamic across the board, the wines are incredible values.

O Tinto Perfeito O Clarete is a field blend of 85% red grapes and 15% white, based on Tinto Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Malvasia Fina. The grapes are all fermented together, given a gentle 10 day maceration with short pump overs to keep extraction minimal, then fermented and aged entirely in tack. The wine comes in the most adorable Port-shaped bottle and is super fun and easy. The most full-bodied red wine in the club this month, but still extremely friendly and ready to drink. A joyful nose of violet, eucalyptus and black pepper is met by juicy blackberry, plum and savory herbs.  Kirk Sutherland