Grown in western Portugal, Vital is a white variety that is a bit boring with low acid unless it is shoved high up a hill! Permitted in numerous regions, putting it into oak can benefit the grape as it actually gives it some flavour. The wine I tried today had this treatment and, i'm pleased to say, it was quite tasty.
2010 Casal Figueira Vinhas Velhas (50-100 year vines)
Some lovely peach but with a bundle of vibrant ginger - a touch of oak but very much acting as seasoning rather than flavour. The palate is very nice, clean, apple and stoney fruit, again just subtle use of oak and a lovely bright, crisp finish. Slight saltiness too, and clean on the finish. 86pts
Baga produces a tannic wine with high acidity, which is a bit strange considering that one of Portugal's most famous wines - Mateus Rose - had a high percentage of Baga in it, and the wine was neither tannic, nor high in acid. The Bairraida region is the grape's homeland and I've always loved the hard, tannic reds that it produces, but the wine I tried for 100 Grapes was a sparkling rosé.
2010 Luis Pato Informal Espumante Rose
Lots of strawberry and raspberry pavlova - creamy, meringuey and fruity. The palate has more of that raspberry coming through with some nice biscotti flavours. Good balance, nice fresh fruit and clean acid. Very tasty, clean and with a lovely, lingering finish that gives you that raspberry to the end. 84pts
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