Viniou Reviews
Wine & Soul's "Pintas Character" 2022 from the Douro is an expressive Portuguese red blend standing out for its vibrancy and depth. Crafted from an assemblage of native Douro grape varieties, typically featuring Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca among others, this cuvée reflects the region’s intricacy. The 2022 vintage benefited from favourable weather, yielding grapes with excellent concentration and freshness. Fermentation tends to be traditional, often in stainless steel, with maturation in French oak barrels that impart subtle spice and structure without overwhelming the natural fruitiness. You'll find intense aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, violets and a subtle graphite edge; the palate is succulent and rich, yet balanced by a lively acidity and ripe tannins, preceding a long, spicy finish.
The Douro valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, hosts one of the world’s most dramatic vineyard landscapes. Steep terraced slopes dominate the region, with vineyards clinging to schist soils, which force vines to dig deep, concentrating flavour in every grape. The climate here is hot and dry, with wide diurnal variations that help preserve acidity in the wines. The Douro’s reputation was originally built on port, but there has been a renaissance in dry wines in recent decades, with producers like Wine & Soul at the forefront, championing old vines and traditional field blends.
For food pairings, Pintas Character's robust body and aromatic intensity make it an outstanding companion to flavourful dishes. Traditional Portuguese cuisine such as slow-cooked lamb stew (ensopado de borrego), duck rice, or chouriço sausage highlights the wine's earthy and spicy character. Equally, it works beautifully with roast meats, game, and mature cheeses; even dishes with rich Mediterranean herbs and roasted vegetables will find a harmonious partner in this Douro red.
For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine at least an hour before serving to open up its expressive bouquet. Serve at 16-18°C to showcase the full spectrum of aromas and textures. This is a wine to savour now for its youthful energy, or to cellar for a few more years to develop greater complexity.
