Decanter's "Best in Show" from Portugal

The Sociedade Agrícola Boas Quintas was founded in 1991, in the renowned Portuguese wine region of Dão. It all began when Nuno Cancela de Abreu, the 4th generation of the family, decided to devote all of his experience and knowledge in viticulture and oenology to become the head of the winemaking team of his family’s estate. With farming and winemaking tradition of more than 130 years, Boas Quintas has been gaining popularity and critical acclaim in the region by collecting top awards for their wines ever since 1998.

Following the success, the estate has started expanding their production to other regions and is now a proud owner of numerous wineries and vineyards in Bucelas, Peninsula de Setúbal, Alentejo, Porto and Douro. With the plurality of wine regions, the philosophy of Boas Quintas is based on diversity and therefore believes that each wine carries its own nature and identity. The winemaker, Nuno Cancela de Abreu, has the ability to keep intact the expression of each terroir.

Gandarada was made to honour the comradery between the familie’s Great grandfather, Captain Jose Ferreira Tavares and the English hero, major General Robert Craufurd, “Black Bob” who was the Commander of the Light Brigade in the Napoleonic Peninsular War, and was received and treated in the Gandarada House at the battle of Bussaco in 1810.

It’s a blend of Alfrocheiro, a Pinot Noit-like grape with great concentration and a medium body as well as Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz - two grapes predominantly cultivated for Port production. Recently awarded 97 points and the prestigious “Best in Show” at the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards this vintage is raspberry and cassis flavours, and matches beautifully with grilled meats, pasta and cheese.