Vinho Regional Lisboa Tinto, Evaristo, Portugal 2021

A celebration of all things Lisbon, the little crow on the label is a nod to Saint Vincent, the city’s patron saint. Legend has it that a flock of crows escorted the ship that returned his remains to the city and still keep watch over the cathedral where he is buried to this day.

 

Made by the talented António Braga (of Azevedo, Quinta da Romeira and Série Ímpar fame), Evaristo is a modern and easy-drinking red made from grapes sourced from growers in various parts of the Lisbon wine region.

As the Vinho Regional Lisboa appellation permits the use of international varieties, Evaristo marries Touriga Nacional with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Coastal vineyards situated to the west of the region experience a cooler microclimate, and fruit from these brings freshness and aromatics to the blend. Vineyards found further inland, behind the coastal mountain range, are more sheltered from these cooling influences and, as a result, add ripe and juicy fruit flavours and body to the wine.

13.5%

António’s focus in the winemaking is to preserve the vibrant fruit flavours of the grapes through fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks and no use of oak. The result is a deliciously quaffable red, bursting with aromas of ripe cherries, juicy blackberries and blackcurrants. Plush tannins give a lovely mouthfeel to the wine and a crisp acidity carries the mellow fruit flavours onto the smooth finish.