Viniou Reviews
Wine & Soul Pintas Character 2020 is a compelling red from the Douro Valley, Portugal, crafted by one of the region's most dynamic producers. Pintas Character is a classic field blend, usually incorporating a wide array of indigenous grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz, sourced from old vines. The 2020 vintage benefited from a warm and dry growing season, lending the wine impressive concentration and ripeness. The vinification process typically involves fermentation in traditional lagares with foot-treading, followed by maturation in French oak barrels, which adds further complexity and depth. On the nose, the wine reveals notes of blackberries, ripe plums, violets, and spices, framed by subtle hints of toast and dark chocolate. The palate is dense and layered, with supple tannins and a fine balance between freshness and richness.
The Douro valley, renowned worldwide for both its Ports and increasingly for its dry reds, is defined by dramatic terraced vineyards set along the winding Douro River. The combination of schist soils and steep slopes creates ideal growing conditions for robust, characterful wines. The region’s hot summers and cold winters, tempered slightly by the river’s presence, yield grapes of exceptional concentration. The Douro’s viticultural heritage stretches back centuries, and today, winemakers like Wine & Soul are at the forefront of the dry wine renaissance, highlighting the valley's extraordinary potential beyond Port.
Pairing this wine is a delight thanks to its structure and intensity. Traditional Portuguese dishes such as roasted lamb with garlic and herbs, braised beef cheeks, or rich pork stews like "porco preto" complement the wine’s robust fruit and spice. Mediterranean roasted vegetables, wild mushroom risotto, or aged sheep’s cheese from the Serra da Estrela region are also excellent partners, enhancing the wine's earthy undertones.
For optimum enjoyment, serve Wine & Soul Pintas Character 2020 at 16-18°C. Open the bottle about one hour ahead to allow the wine to breathe and reveal its aromatic complexity, or decant if you prefer. This wine can be enjoyed now for its youthful vibrancy or cellared for further development over five to eight years.
