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Pedra Cancela Dao Red 2020
$14.99
Best Buy!
In stock: 25 available
Pedra Cancela Dao Red 2020
Product Details
Brand: Red Blend - Europe
Nestled in the heart of central Portugal, the Dão is one of the country’s most respected wine regions. Shielded by granite mountains and dotted with pine forests, its vineyards thrive on the rocky slopes and well-drained soils. This combination of altitude and mineral-rich terroir yields wines with a perfect balance of depth and finesse.
While many wine lovers know the Douro Valley for its opulent reds and fortified ports, Dão offers a different experience. Its cooler, more temperate climate promotes subtlety over power. While Douro wines lean towards dense, bold expressions, wines from the Dão are more subtle and balanced. Traditional varietals like Touriga Nacional, Encruzado, and Alfrocheiro overlap across both regions; however, the resulting wines are distinctly different expressions of place and climate.
Pedra Cancela is a collaborative project built on the partnership between João Paulo Gouveia and Lusovini Vinhos de Portugal. Fruit for the project comes from João Paulo Gouveia, a nationally respected viticulturist, and his deep understanding of the region’s granite soils and grape varietals results in beautifully balanced, expressive fruit.
Lusovini, also based in Nelas, contributes the winemaking resources to transform João Paulo Gouveia’s fruit into polished wines. They manage all winemaking, bottling, and distribution, working in harmony with local vignerons. It's a terrific collaborative model that blends generations of hands-on vineyard experience with modern wine-making technology and international reach.
I’ve always been fascinated by this particular flavor of partnership found practically everywhere in Portugal’s wine regions. It’s a division of labor I’ve only seen on this scale in Portugal. Pedra Cancela is a terrific example of that, uniting João Paulo Gouveia's viticultural prowess with Lusovini’s modern winemaking structure. The resulting wines are authentic to their roots and confidently modern in execution.
Pedra Cancela Seleção do Enólogo Branco 2024
The Seleção do Enólogo Branco 2024 is a beautifully textured white built around Dão’s noble white grape, Encruzado, complemented by Cercial Branca and Malvasia Fina. Fermented cool and aged in stainless steel, it favors roundness and silky texture over racing acidity. In your glass, after a swirl or two, you’ll note aromas of orchard fruit, honeycomb, and delicate white flowers.
Smooth and broad on the palate, this white is notably low in acidity, emphasizing creamy weight rather than focused brightness. Classic pairings include simply poached fish, roast chicken, or a rich mushroom risotto. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try miso-marinated cod, silky corn soup with truffle oil, or even a mango and feta salad. The wine’s soft texture plays beautifully with gentle umami and subtle sweetness.
If you’ve been playing along with my Tasting Essentials series, this is a perfect example of a low-acid white.
Pedra Cancela Seleção do Enólogo Tinto 2020
The red counterpart, Seleção do Enólogo Tinto 2020, is an easy-going expression of Dão’s classic red varietals. Touriga Nacional for perfume, Tinta Roriz for structure, and Alfrocheiro for freshness. It’s been carefully matured in stainless and neutral barrel to maintain optimum freshness.
In your glass, this ruby red blend greets with aromas of red berries, spice, and a whisper of forest floor. It’s smooth and silky on the palate, and like the white, it's low in acidity, prioritizing soft roundness over muscle. Think smooth, gentle tannins instead of structured intensity. Traditional pairings like roast lamb, slow-cooked garlic mushrooms, or aged Portuguese/Spanish cheese highlight its softness. For an inventive twist, pair it with duck breast and cherry glaze, beetroot tartare, or even dark chocolate lightly dusted with chili.
Again, if you’ve been following my Tasting Essentials, this is a prime example of a very low-tannin red.
Pro Tip: We’ll also have these two best-buy gems open during Wednesday’s Local Roots Tasting.
