Viúva Gomes

4 November 2021

“Colares produces what may well be Portugal’s most distinctive still wines. Graceful complexity, with savoury kaleidoscopic flavours” – Eric Asimov, New York Times

Colares was one of Europe’s most prestigious wine regions, but today just 22ha of its signature snake-like ungrafted old vines remain on the sandy dunes in Lisbon’s backyard. Wooden windbreaks and apple trees protect the vines from howling winds and create an environment that produces singular wines that are now extremely hard to find.

Adega Viúva Gomes, owned by father and son José and Diogo Baeta, exemplifies why Colares is still revered. Their steely, saline white (100% Malvasia de Colares) is aged for a year in French oak, and their silky, vivid red (100% Ramisco) spends nearly a decade maturing in both French oak and Brazilian mahogany barrels. Both have the intensity and energy that are the hallmark of true fine wines.

Recent releases come in 500ml bottles (rather than standard 750ml), as production is microscopic, but the Baeta family have also given us an allocation from their library – vintages from the 1960s, when bottles held a generous 650ml (!) and the wines were made to age for decades. All have a savoury complexity that comes from being perfectly stored for half a century.

2019 Colares Branco (white), Adega Viúva Gomes @ £39 per bottle (500ml) Sold out
2018 Colares Branco (white), Adega Viúva Gomes @ £39 per bottle (500ml) Sold out
2017 Colares Branco (white), Adega Viúva Gomes @ £39 per bottle (500ml) Sold out
“Lovely stony edge: precise and long with great precision and length. Superb. 92/100” (Jamie Goode)

2012 Colares Tinto (red), Adega Viúva Gomes @ £39 per bottle (500ml) Sold out
2011 Colares Tinto (red), Adega Viúva Gomes @ £39 per bottle (500ml) Sold out
“Vivid and bright, showing good elegance as well as structure. 93/100” (Jamie Goode)

1969 Colares Tinto (red), Adega Viúva Gomes @ £99 per bottle (650ml) Sold out
"For its age, this is very pure with elegance and still-firm tannins, as well as keen acidity. So fine. 96/100” (Jamie Goode)

1967 Colares Tinto (red), Adega Viúva Gomes @ £109 per bottle (650ml) Sold out
“Really complex and taut. Fine, spicy and precise with earth and compost hints. Amazing. 94/100” (Jamie Goode)

1965 Colares Tinto (red), Adega Viúva Gomes @ £139 per bottle (650ml) Sold out
“A rich style, satisfying and dense. 94/100” (Jamie Goode)

Please note that this offer has expired, however you can check current stocks via the search bar or shop@shrinetothevine.co.uk