Raymond Reynolds Ltd

Overview

Location: Bairrada
Website address: http://www.luispato.com/

A maverick and a pioneer!

Luís very much embodies the spirit of irreverence and imagination that the Bairrada needs to face its future.With a degree in Chemistry, Luís began his winemaking career after the 1974 Revolution.This mix of science and revolution always underlines his innovation and dynamism, even down to his rotary fermenters! Locals sadly rue that Bairrada have ostracized him for daring to dream! The irony can be enjoyed in his wines though. The whites begin with the lively and mineral pure Maria Gomes, getting more serious with the Vinhas Velhas old vines blend using Bical, Maria Gomes and Cercealinho, and at the top, the barrel fermented stylish Bical, Vinha Formal.

Also ground breaking is the boundless delicacy of Luís’ FLP sweet white. The Baga introduces the reds with a chunky energetic fruit component, the Vinhas Velhas a selected blend of old vines Baga, is perhaps his closest link with tradition and shows an alluring sinewy edge. The single vineyard cuvees Vinha Pan and Barrosa show this variety in its most refined and silky expression.

Wine List

For older vintage information please contact us or consult the producer’s website

Luis Pato Maria Gomes

Current Vintage: 2010 

Crisp and fresh with an enticing array of clean fresh yellow plums and a slatey texture.

 

"Luis Pato has for some time been one of Portugal's best winemakers, a moustachioed maestro who has helped transform the reputation of the sleepy Bairrada region to the north of Coimbra. He specializes in indigenous Portuguese grape varieties such as the wonderfully named Maria Gomes, which here makes for a mellow but fresh white, which is full of apricots and orchard fruit." David Williams, Observer Magazine, 13.03.11

Vinhas Velhas Branco

 

Current Vintage: 2011

 

 

 

Old vine Bical, Cerceal and Sercialinho fermented in stainless steel. This is real success and illustrates the huge potential of Bairrada for top notch white wines; dry, minerally and expressive.

"A taut, minerally, screwcapped white blend from a producer whose white wines age really well and are just as good as his more famous reds. Fresh, unoaked and slightly smoky with hints of jasmine and ginger spice and a long, satisfying finish. Portugal's answer to Chablis, with a hint of Riesling thrown in, this proves that local grapes like Bical and Cerceal are capable of producing thrilling, bottle-matured white wines." Tim Atkin MW, Wine of the Week 13th Aygust 2012, 91/100. 

Vinha Formal

Current Vintage: 2011 (available ex cellars)

 

 

Luis’ top dry white is barrel fermented Bical, which is succulent young (with the steeliness of a really fine Chablis), but also ages very well, revealing some of the characteristics we associate with older riesling. Either way, its very special.

Luis Pato Baga / Touriga

Current Vintage: 2008

Good deep ruby-violet colour. Spicy bouquet with some violets and cherries aromas. In mouth it is very smooth with a pleasant finish. A good red wine to goggle with some tapas.

Vinhas Velhas Tinto

 

 

Current Vintage: 2007/10

Certainly not old school Baga, from the elegant fruit to the touch of creaminess from the new oak. It doesn’t lack for a sense of provenance, however, as is revealed by red fruit intensity both in mid-palate and the long, nervy finish.

Vinha Pan

Current Vintage: 2005

This is really mouthfilling with massive tannins on the finish. There`s clearly quite a bit of new oak character here but this is an uncompromising wine that is a great expression of Bairrada. www.jancisrobinson.com

We recommend this wine to be decanted well in advance. Also available in Magnums

Vinha Barrosa

Current Vintage: 2005

This is a meaty wine with concentrated aroma and subtle eucalyptus notes. On the palate is balanced with some cherry notes and hints of tobacco. It finishes long with great finesse.
We recommend this wine to be decanted.

Luis Pato Sparkling Maria Gomes

This wine is fresh and clean with hints of peach on the nose and sweet, herby notes. Try as a summer sparkling wine or as an aperitif.

Luis Pato Sparkling Rosé

Baga grapes from chalky clay soils which juice was extracted with a slightest coloration in a vacuum press, having been decanted in cold settling.
It has fermented in used French oak casks with movement of the fine lees until it was bottled in January.

“Intense, dry cherry flavours with a dusting of cocoa; engaging dry sparkler from the Baga master.†Wine & Spirit, August 2007

This is a fresh and crispy rose sparkling wine, full of raspberry aromas and a slightly orange skin flavour. It has a fair complexity due to his time in used oak. It is great as an aperitif or with smoked salmon.

Luis Pato Informal (sparkling rose)

Current Vintage: 2010

Harvested from 32 year old Baga vines at Vinha Pan, followed by 15 months on the lees. Really delicious stuff, it is bottled with a crown cork as part of its contemporary packaging.

FLP

Current Vintage:

 

 

 

As sweet whites go this draws on the intensity of Bical and has finesse and complexity.