COZs vm-Castelão 2021

COZs is a small natural-wine project formed by Tiago Teles and Antonio Marques-da-Cruz, who took on the vineyards of the late José Mendonça north of Lisbon. This wine is made from Castelao, a native Portuguese grape, grown at Quinta da Murta in the Montejunto region a few kilometres from the Atlantic coast. The maritime setting and cooling sea breezes hold back ripeness and keep alcohol low at 12.5 percent, giving a light, fresh and savoury style with a faint saline character. Farming is organic and the winemaking is natural and low intervention, with no additions to mask the grape and place. The wine is aged in wood, used and neutral, so the emphasis stays on bright fruit and texture rather than oak. The colour is light, translucent ruby. The nose shows red berries, cherry, plum and dried herbs, with a peppery, briny lift. The palate is light bodied and fresh, with soft, fine tannins, crisp acidity and a savoury, mineral finish. Serve lightly chilled at 13 to 14 degrees. It is an easy, flexible table wine.