Wines Dão Quinta de Lemos - Touriga - 2011

Quinta de Lemos Cuvée Touriga 2011 is an elegant and expressive red from the Dão DOC, showcasing the best of the region’s indigenous Touriga Nacional grape. The 2011 vintage benefited from optimal growing conditions, producing a wine with concentration, structure, and impressive ageing potential. Carefully crafted at Quinta de Lemos, the wine is vinified using traditional methods, with fermentation in stainless steel followed by a period of maturation in French oak barrels. This approach allows the purity of the grape to shine, balancing bright aromatics with complexity and nuanced tannins. On the palate, expect intense black fruit notes—such as blackberry and plum—complemented by floral hints of violet, subtle spices, and an underlying minerality.

Dão is a renowned viticultural area in central Portugal, often described as the Burgundy of Portugal for its focus on elegance and terroir expression. The region is characterised by its granitic soils and gently rolling hills, protected by mountains on all sides which create a temperate microclimate. This combination of cool nights, warm days, and well-drained soils offers ideal conditions for refined and balanced reds. The history of winemaking in Dão dates back centuries, with a reputation built on the unique personalities of local varieties like Touriga Nacional, which achieves remarkable aromatics and complexity here.

For food pairings, Quinta de Lemos Cuvée Touriga 2011 is superb with rich meat dishes to enhance its depth and structure. Grilled lamb chops, roast duck with herbs, or Iberian pork tenderloin are particularly harmonious choices, as their savoury qualities will complement the wine’s ripe fruit and fine tannins. Traditional Portuguese recipes such as braised wild boar or feijoada (bean and meat stew) will echo the wine’s authenticity and character.

To fully appreciate this wine’s bouquet and palate nuances, it is best served slightly below room temperature, ideally between 16-18°C. Decanting for an hour before serving will allow the wine to open up, revealing all the layers and complexity that define a great Dão red.