Poço do Lobo Baga Espumante

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Founded in 1920 by the Costa brothers, Caves São João became a key player in Portuguese winemaking with its iconic brands "Frei João" from Bairrada and "Porta dos Cavaleiros" from Dão. Initially focused on fine Douro wines, the winery shifted to Bairrada table and sparkling wines after a 1930 regulation restricted Port production. Under French enologist Gaston Mainousson, Caves São João gained a reputation for quality wines. Though demand for Bairrada and Dão wines waned in the 1990s, they saw a resurgence 20 years later as consumers sought finesse and freshness. In 2013, the Costa family began releasing library vintages from 1959 to 2000, showcasing the remarkable aging potential of their wines. Today, Caves São João remains the only Portuguese winery to offer such historic vintages commercially, blending tradition with continuous innovation.

WHAT MAKES THIS WINE UNIQUE?

The quintessential grape of Bairrada produced as a white wine. This rare expression of 100% estate Baga is produced as a vintage sparkling brut by one of the flagship properties in Portugal. The Poco do Lobo Espumante brut Baga shows the duality of this red varietal to provide a backbone of acidity as well as richness and structure for longevity as a sparkling wine.

RATING HISTORY:

2013 90WA

GRAPE:

100% Baga planted over 20 years ago grown in limestone and clay soil.

VINIFICATION AND AGING:

The first fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel vats and the second fermentation in bottle. The wine undergoes 28 months of sur-lies ageing in the bottle before disgorgement.

LOCATION, SOIL, CLIMATE:

Bairrada is located in the western part of the Beiras, between the mountainous Dão region and the sunny and breezy Atlantic beaches. Bairrada has a mild, maritime climate with abundant rainfall with vines planted in clay, limestone and sandy soils. The Poco do Lobo estate is only 15k from the sea 230 feet above sea level in the Bairrada region in central Portugal. The 37 hectare property is planted mainly to Arinto and Baga. Bairrada is a very important area for sparkling wines. Base wines for sparkling wines need the kind of high acidity that the cool climate of Bairrada offers so the region is well suited to producing still and sparkling wines for posterity.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale gold. Aromas of bruised yellow apple, Rainer cherries and Marcona almonds are accompanied by hay and dried yellow figs. Rich and broad on the palate, offering honeycomb and buttered toast. Nuances of honeysuckle and nougat extend into a longering finish.

ALCOHOL CONTENT:

12.5

UPC CODE:

5601831206453