Luis Pato, Bairrada DOC (Portugal) Baga 2015

 Famed producer Luis Pato was instrumental in putting the Barriada region on the map.  He is a champion of Portugal’s challenging-to-grow grape Baga; one that, while planted throughout Portugal, is most closely associated with Bairrada.  Pato has used the indigenous red variety to produce world-class wines since the 1980s.  The 2015 Vinhas Velhas is a beautiful expression of the region, offering concentrated dark blackberry and plum flavors with spiced wood notes of cedar, vanilla, and peppercorn.  This delicious wine is dense and structured with good acidity and is undoubtedly a wine for the cellar as it will gain complexity over the years.