2018 Filipa Pato, Baga “Dinamica” Bairrada Tinto, Portugal.
This dark purple/garnet and delicious Dinamica by Filipa Pato and her husband William Wouters is made from the local grape Baga, all from organic vineyard sites within the Bairrada DOC with some of the fruit coming from their biodynamic estate. Pato’s latest release of Dinamica Tinto is an exceptional value and satisfying red wine with a little earthy charm and spice showing blackberry, plum and currant fruits along with shaved cinnamon, white pepper, minty herbs and delicate mineral tones on its medium bodied palate. Filipa says her wines don’t wear any makeup, I agree, they are openly rustic and transparent with a feeling of place and they are lovely food wines, with this one being fabulous with a wide array of cuisine and can be enjoyed with a slight chill for warm days and evenings. The 2018 Dinamica unfolds in the glass and deepens significantly with air, with silken tannin and lively acidity highlighting the Atlantic Ocean influence, this wine just got better and more impressive with every sip. I’ve been a big fan of this winery for years, but in recent tastings these wines all have got even better, the Pato collection is full of tasty choices.
A deep affection and sense of pride for the traditional indigenous varietals of Bairrada, like Baga, led Filipa Pato to start her own label in 2001, and now she is considered one of Portugal’s best and authentic winemakers with a nod to the newer generation natural style with minimal additions and low sulfur. She works, according to her US importer Skurnik Wines, a total of 12 hectares of vineyards scattered in various plots throughout the Bairrada appellation and the wines show the terroir influences. This Dinamica is made from 100% Baga sourced primarily from Filipa and William’s estate vineyards in Ois do Bairro, as well as some grapes from other growers in Bairrada, grown on limestone-rich clay soils with everything being handpicked and carefully sorted for the utmost quality. In this wine, the grapes are fully de-stemmed and get a gentle maceration with fermentation and aging entirely in tank to preserve freshness and purity. This wine is an incredible value, as are most Portuguese wines, especially considering its is an estate made small producer wine, I recommend it very highly, plus be sure to check out Pato’s 3D Baga Bubbly and her gorgeous white wines, made from Bical and Arinto, too.
($15 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive