Casal Sta. Maria Pinot Noir 2011, Lisboa

Ich bin schwer der Annahme verfallen, dass die wenigsten von uns, sofern wir es überhaupt soweit schaffen sollten, nicht die Absicht hegen mit 96 Jahren ein Weingut gründen zu wollen bzw. ein Weingut aus dem Dornröschenschlaf erwecken zu wollen. So, oder in etwa so, hat es sich im Jahr 2006 zugetragen, als Baron Bodo von Bruemmer die Adega Casal Santa Maria gründete. Von Bruemmer ist 1911 als Nachfahre deutscher Aristokraten im russischen Zarenreich zur Welt gekommen, nach der Oktoberrevolution in Deutschland und vornehmlich der Schweiz aufgewachsen und aus gesundheitlichen Gründen in den 1960er Jahren in die westlich von Lissabon gelegenen Region Colares übergesiedelt. Dort angekommen fing er zunächst an Araberpferde zu züchten. Mit großem Erfolg! Nach einer schweren (und gut überstandenen) Operation im Jahr 2006 entschloss er sich, bzw. erpendelte er sich (so wird es zumindest kolportiert), ins produzierende Wein-Business einzusteigen. Seitdem produziert er unter Mithilfe seinen Winemakers António Figueiredo aus drei kleinen Weingärten in der vom kühlenden Atlantikklima geprägten Region Colares Weine aus Ramisco, Malvasia, Arinto, Chardonnay … und natürlich Pinot Noir! Vor eingen Wochen ist von Bruemmer 105jährig von uns gegangen. Anlass genug ihm zu Ehren meinen ersten portugiesischen Pinot Noir überhaupt zu verkosten. 

Happening Now Tasting 32: António Bernardino Paulo da Silva Cazal da Azenha Tinto 2006, Colares

My tongue's voyage to explore wine-growing regions with hyper autochthonous and scarcely existing grape varietals is about to come to an end. The origins of my final wine are the sandy dunes of Sintra in Colares region north-west of Lisbon. The home to the legendary and nowadays super scare Ramisco grape! Only a very few hectares of those sinkholed pre-phylloxera vines are left in Colares. Why sinkholed, and why where those vines able to survive? Well, sinkholed because all vines in this region of the Extremadura need protection from the salty winds which are constantly „crashing“ in from the neighboring Atlantic. And survived? Jus because of the sandy soils and cliff'y terrain on Sintra's coast which prevented the phylloxera bug from spreading. So, let's recap: Today I will have wine from very old vines, which was produced by António Bernardino Paulo da Silva, a respectfully well aged vintner, which is "ultimately" - at least at the moment - a downright infant! The frequent absorbers of my blog might be aware of such ill guided practices in case of António Bernardino Paulo da Silva wines. So, let’s have a first sip of toady’s “Happening Now Tasting” wine:

Casal da Azenha Vinho de Mesa Branco 2008, Colares Lisboa

Looking at the photo and headline above some of you might think I really must be a wine molesting monster! I'd understand completely, if you think so! Honestly, how can I possibly dare to drink such a wine at a such virgin-like stage!? This stuff is supposed to be consume in 10, 20, 30 or whatever years ... Well I guess, I am appalled by my courage to publicly admit such a horrid sin! I am aware of the durability of grand old Antonio Bernardino Paulo da Silva wines. Having written all of that … Today I just don't care! I am highly happy with myself! Because this shit was like a metaphorical sip of the Atlantic Ocean! Intensely driven by stern, elaborate and salty (literal ones) mineral characteristics! More about that a little bit later ...

First, I'd like to introduce you to some wine related facts. This Casal da Azenha Vinho de Mesa Branco 2008 from nearly ninety year old Antonio Bernardino Paulo da Silva is a living evergreen'ish monument of Portuguese white wine. As far as I know this one is a blend made from autochthonous grape varietals like Arinto, Bical as well as Malvasia (plus a few minor shares)! The origin of this very old style blend is Colares Region directly situated on the Atlantic Ocean just west of Lisbon. The ungrafted vines are cultivated on sandy vineyards with substantial layers of lime, chalk and basalt. The aging took place in large mahogany barrels for at very least three years. Well, after all this 2008 is the current edition. Let's have a sip ...