COZs “PoP”

Montejunto , portugal |  2021

COZs is a partnership formed in 2015 between two friends, who just happen to be two of Portugal's best winemakers: Tiago Teles (Tiago Teles Wines) and António Marques de la Cruz (Quinta da Serradinha). They joined forces to produce a wine from a special vineyard at Quinta dos Cozinheiros, but soon another opportunity emerged that the duo could not pass up, in Serra de Montejunto, a gorgeous, forested limestone mount range approximately an hour’s drive north of Lisbon. In 2018 they sourced some young-vine Castelão, a red variety, from Quinta da Murta, located just eight kilometers from the Atlantic.

“Pop” is made from 100% Castelão sourced from Montejunto. The grapes undergo a light maceration, with only three days on the skins, and the fermentation is whole cluster, with natural yeast. After pressing, the wine is aged for 11 months in old French oak barrels.

Castelão has become well-known in recent years in Portugal for its ability to produce refreshing, low-alcohol red wines. While that is a good generalization, “Pop,” like the “vm-Castelão” that some of you may have had in the past, is so much more, highlighting the lighter fresher side of the wines made from this grape. “Pop” has a lovely nose, showing notes of bright cranberry, sour cherry, and brown spices. On the palate, it is fresh, with bright acidity, more red fruit flavors, mineral notes, and a savory character. We recommend decanting, serving it with a slight chill and pairing it alongside roasted chicken or grilled pork chops.