Burge Family Winemakers Homestead Tinta Cao Souzao 2020

A curious blend here made from two of the grapes regularly used for Portuguese ports. The advantage is that they hold their acidity even in the hottest climates providing freshness and vibrant fruit characters. Deeply coloured, there is an attractive range of aromas from savoury dried herbs, spice and earth through to sweet cassis with plenty of toasty oak in the mix. That strong oak influence is echoed on the palate and here dominates the layers of dark fruit on a long and drying palate. It’s a big red, and best suited to slow-cooked lamb shanks.