Adega Coop Borba Reserva 2003

Adega Coop Borba Reserva 2003
Borba, Alentejo, Portugal, cork seal

Back in Hong Kong and it's time for a drink. I picked this up from Chip Seng on my last visit to Macau. It's made by the Adega Coop, based in the town of Borba in southern Portugal and is classified as an Alentejo DOC wine. Made from 75% Trincadeira, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Alicante Bouschet it's also interestingly matured in chestnut as well as American and French barrels. The strangeness continues, with an inspection revealing the classy looking label is in fact made of cork.

Adega Coop Borba Reserva is intriguingly dark in colour. The nose is subdued with raspberries, blueberries and a squeeze of meat juice. The palate has a mix of flavours including olives, handfuls of cheeky red fruit, tomato and a touch of green vegetable. The wine is approachable with restrained alcohol, a noticeable vibrant fresh acidity, subtle tannins and good palate length. Adega Coop Borba Reserva 2003 is an interesting wine; the flavours on the palate are difficult to pin down and perhaps a little confused, but offering something different it's an enjoyable drink.

Visit winery website.