Invincible DOC Douro Tinto Número Dois 2020 75cl

Founded in 2020 by Rita Marques (a young but outstanding Portuguese winemaker) and Marc Kent (maker of the popular Chocolate Block blend and cellar master of Boekenhoutskloof in South Africa. The pair have collaborated in the past in both Portugal and South Africa, but have now acquired an estate in Casais do Douro, Pinhão. This is their first property together, and where the wines will be assembled. The Douro has been well-known as the heart of port wine but is now becoming a front-runner for unfortified wines, both red and white. The Douro is mountainous, with the river cutting through like a vein, and all along the steep banks, vines are planted in schistous soil. The Invincible Vinho Tinto Douro Número Dois is sourced from 50+ vines and is a blend of different varieties, such as Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca and Rufete. The wine is contained in French Oak Barriques for 16 months, where there isn’t much of an oaky influence, instead creating a soft mouthfeel and smooth tannins. The liquid itself is complex, with spices and a bold fruity finish. It can be juicier than other wines from the Douro, and the boldness of the wine pairs with hearty meat dishes, such as braised pork or steaks. The labels on the wine itself are an artistic nod to the battles between Adamastor, the mythic personification of the Cape of Good Hope and the Portuguese Sailors during the Age of Discovery.