Bastardo is the dark red Portugese grape variety from which this wine is made (‘Trousseau’ in its native Jura). It's commonly found in Port, as it has the high natural sugar content suitable for fortified wines, and brings depth, texture and structure to the blend.
This dry red 2007 Vinho Regional Duriense comes from the exciting Conceito Winery, an up-and-coming Teja Valley producer, in the eastern Douro Valley.
A tributary of the Douro, the Teja flows through a valley of gentle hills with a mild climate and schist soils, between 300m and 400m in altitude.
Conceito’s ‘Bastardo’ has an incredibly delicate robe, almost a pale violet rosé. The apparent lightness, however, belies a surprising aromatic intensity with red berry fruit, white pepper, clove and gamey scents. In the mouth, there are juicy Burlap cherry and forest fruit flavours beautifully balanced with fresh, mineral acidity, mellow but present French oak tannins, and a persistent, dry finish. An intense Pinot Noir with great finesse comes to mind.
Conceito Winery crushes the Bastardo grapes by foot in traditional granite tanks with no de-stemming. The wine is pressed when alcoholic fermentation is complete and then aged in barrels for 10 months. As the label suggests, this is unconventional, provocative and characterful winemaking. 'Bastardo' doesn't qualify for Douro appellation standing because it is 'atypical'. Who cares?
