Chinado are based totally in Alcobaça, the home of the well-known monastery, inside the Lisboa wine space, the place they make pure wines.
It’s the mission of João and Alennah Tereso. João Tereso was (and nonetheless is) a sound engineer, nonetheless he was drawn to creating wine in 2017 when he wished to verify the longevity of his grandfather’s field-blend vineyards which are based totally in Alcobaça, an hour’s drive north of Lisboa. In 2018 he took on an extra two neglected vineyards. The vines are largely earlier (40-80 years) and are found on small hillsides, not faraway from the Atlantic. He’s been farming organically since 2020.
Soils are clay/limestone, and among the many vineyards have further crimson clay, whereas others have limestone on the ground. That’s an earlier ocean flooring.
Chinado is slang for ‘stabbed’, from the phrase ‘chino’ for knife. It moreover has the dual meaning of being the stone used to mark the boundaries of a property. The illustration used on the labels was drawn by a pal of João’s.
THE WINES
Chinado Branco 2022 Lisboa, Portugal
That’s largely Arinto, Fernão Pires and Crucial, plus a bit little bit of youthful Alvarinho, from eight utterly completely different plots. Barrel fermented. Energetic and pure with notes of lemon and desk grape. Very current with good juiciness, and displays a contact of cherry. Lovely texture, ending with inexperienced apple and some lemon. 93/100
Chinado Vinho Branco de Curtimenta 2023 Lisboa, Portugal (tank sample)
This spent two weeks on skins. Beforehand they’ve achieved 8 days to a couple weeks. It comes from two plots, every self-discipline blends of white varieties. Extraordinarily aromatic with current pear and apple fruit, some aniseed, and some peachy richness. There’s fairly freshness on the palate with a twist of pithy development, and up to date linear fruit. Such purity proper right here. 93/100
Chinado Rosé 2022 Lisboa, Portugal
That’s made with non-local grapes: it’s Touriga Nacional from a youthful vineyard inside the space. Total bunch pressed to barrel. Pale pink with some orange. Energetic and centered with good freshness, exhibiting purity and precision with good acidity along with pear and some tart cherry fruit. 92/100
Chinado Palheto 2022 Lisboa, Portugal
That’s from an 80 year-old vineyard abandoned in 2017, which he started working with in 2018 after which bought in 2020. No machines are used. The 950 vines are a mix of 30 varieties, primarily white. The grapes are destemmed, foot-trodden after which macerated for 5 days sooner than pressing to 500 litre barrels. Pale in shade, that’s supple and up to date with tart cherry fruit and some redcurrant notes. Juicy and layered exhibiting good precision. Pure with a bit little bit of development. Very prime quality. 94/100
Chinado Tinto 2022 Lisboa, Portugal
Principally Castelão, from three plots. 35% aged in oak. Lovely weight proper right here: current and prime quality with fairly crimson cherries and some raspberry. Very pure and fruit-driven, nonetheless current with a chalky texture and good acidity. 94/100
Chinado Pet Nat Rosé 2023 Lisboa, Portugal
That’s Touriga Nacional, no added sulfites. Cloudy and lively with good acidity. Up to date and tart with fairly texture and brightness. Zippy and centered; pure and prime quality. 92/100