PV Tasting Notes
This has a solid feel, projecting depth and concentration unusual for Vinho Verde. It is mouth gripping and coating, an awfully friendly style of wine, easy to drink and totally delicious with a burst of acidity on the finish to cut the lemony fruit. The price is very reasonable, considering the way Vinho Verde’s have escalated of late, but it’s for drinking young, I don’t think it will hold well for more than a couple of years. Drink now-2013. Tasted Feb 2010.
Independent Review92 points Joshua Greene Wines and Spirits Magazine Aug 2010
Anselmo Mendes makes this wine for Quinta das Touquinheiras, a blend of trajadura and avlarino. The fresh pear juice and peach flavours have a mildly spicy edge, like chamomile and mint. It feels cool, bright and refreshing, with a chipped-stone minerality in the finish. Try this with tzatziki, dolmas and other Middle Eastern Mezes. Rated Best Buy
89 Points Mark Squires The Wine Advocate Aug 2010
The 2009 RESERVA “CLEMEN” is a 50/50 blend of Trajadura and Alvarinho, clocking in at 11.5% alcohol. Invigoratingly fresh and quite herbaceous, the grassy notes making it a bit reminiscent aromatically of Sauvignon Blanc, this is powerful on the nose and chock full of lemons with a touch of lime. It will be a refreshing summer drink, something to wake you up while sitting on the porch as the heat rolls in. Some air did this a lot of good, emphasizing the grassy notes, moderating the lemons. If this is your style, it’s a treat to drink and very well priced. As is typical in this region with this type of wine, it is something best consumed young and fresh. However long it technically holds, it will be at peak now and this year, but should drink nicely into next year as well. Drink now-2012.
Grilled fish, especially oysters, all seafood , chicken and smoked meats, Greek dishes and Mezes.
Quinta das Touquinheiras made its first impression during a blind tasting competition of Vinho Verde wines, winning the coveted Vinho Verde Award.
This led José Luis Gonçalves de Araújo to purchase more vineyards, and in 1995, the wine Touquinheiras Alvarinho made its first appearance. Quinta das Touquinheiras is a 14 hectare estate winery located in the northern region of Vinho Verde. In 2001, the daughter of José Luis Gonçalves de Araújo, Clementina Araújo, took the leadership of the production.
The winery now produces Touquinheiras Alvarinho, and Clémen (a blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura grapes). The most utmost of care is taken in both the vineyard and the winery. All grapes are 100% hand-harvested to ensure quality of fruit, followed by gentle pneumatic pressing and extended maceration at controlled temperatures.
The high quality of the grapes, combined with the skill of winemaker, Anselmo Mendes (one of Portugal´s top oenologists), creates wine of true character, passion, purity and integrity.