Silent Oak Reserva Red Blend 2017
Full-bodied red · Silent Oak
Vintage: 2017
Type
Full-bodied red
Producer
Silent Oak
Country
Portugal
Vintage
2017
Region & Appellation
Portugal (Regional Wine / Vinho Regional, commonly Lisboa or Alentejo style)
Grape Varieties
Traditional Portuguese red blend, typically featuring indigenous varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and Alicante Bouschet.
Color & Appearance
Deep, opaque rubylred with a dark purple core and youthful violet rim, showing moderate to high viscosity with slow-moving legs on the glass.
Aroma Profile
Intense aromas of ripe black plums, dark cherries, and blackberries, layered with secondary notes of sweet vanilla, clove, and subtle Mediterranean scrub, evolving into hints of cocoa and cured leather.
Tasting Notes
A rich and robust initial palate impression that develops into a concentrated mid-palate of dark fruits and spiced oak, leading to a long, warming finish with well-integrated tannins and balanced acidity.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by blackberry, black cherry, and plum, complemented by non-fruit notes of dark chocolate, espresso bean, sweet baking spices, and a touch of earthy minerality.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a velvety, plush texture, notable extraction, and a smooth, enveloping mouthfeel that balances richness with structure.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-high acidity providing refreshing lift to the rich fruit, paired with firm yet fine-grained, ripe tannins that offer structure without excessive astringency.
Sweetness Level
Dry, with less than 3 g/L of residual sugar, balanced by ripe fruit extracts and warming alcohol.
Alcohol Content
14.5% ABV, contributing to a full body, generous warmth on the palate, and a rich, mouth-coating finish.
Aging & Oak
Aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 12 months, imparting notes of vanilla, toast, and subtle sweet spice.
Food Pairings
Ideal with grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb shank, hearty beef stews, game meats, and mature hard cheeses like aged Manchego or Portuguese São Jorge.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C (60-64°F) in a large Bordeaux-style red wine glass. Decant for 30 to 45 minutes prior to serving to open up the complex aromatics.
Price Range
15 to 25 USD
Quality Assessment
90 points (Wine Enthusiast sticker visible on label), offering great value and representing a reliable, well-crafted premium Portuguese red blend.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, destemmed and crushed, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs for color and tannin extraction, followed by malolactic fermentation and oak aging.
Terroir
Grown in sun-drenched continental and Mediterranean-influenced vineyards characterized by a mix of clay-limestone and schist soils, benefiting from warm days and cooling evening Atlantic breezes.
History & Heritage
Crafted to showcase the incredible value and depth of Portugal's native grape varieties blended with modern winemaking techniques.
Interesting Facts
The label prominently features a 90-point badge from Wine Enthusiast and depicts a classic cooper hammering a wooden wine barrel, highlighting the importance of oak aging in the wine's profile.
Cellaring Potential
Approachable now, but can be cellared gracefully through 2025-2028, during which time tertiary leather and earthy notes will further develop.
Similar Wines
Dão reds, robust Alentejo reservas, and bold modern-style Lisbon blends such as Casa Santos Lima or JP Azeitão.