Author: Dirk Chan
Our special this week is the 2017 Parras Wines 370 Leguas Tinto (Douro, Portugal) – $14.99, regularly $19.99.
370 Léguas refers to the demarcation line of the Treaty of Tordesillas that the Portuguese navigators who in 1494 signed a treaty with the Spanish crown leading to the rising of the Portuguese empire. This wine pays homage to this historical fact and is made with 3 indigenous Portuguese grapes (Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz) harvested on the best slopes in the region
Parras Wines, founded by Luís Vieira in 2010 to integrate its businesses in the areas of viticulture, wine production, bottling and wine commercialization, was distinguished by Revista de Vinhos, one of the leading magazines in the sector, as Company of the Year, within “The Best of the Year 2020” awards. With 170 employees, and a turnover of close to 26.5 million euros in 2020, with 50% of the estates’ wines exported to Brazil, China, United States, Canada, England, Cape Verde, Angola, and Sao Tome and Principe, among others.
Winemaker Carlos Eduardo ferments the grapes in stainless steel vats. This ruby colored wine, with aromas of very ripe red fruits like blackberry and dark cherries and soft tannins reveal good ripeness of the grapes, balanced acidity with touches of vanilla, oak and dark chocolate in the mix, finishing with cigar box notes, some dense tannins and a strong, tight texture.
2017 Parras Wines 370 Leguas (Douro, Portugal) – $14.99, regularly $19.99