Quinta do Monte d’Oiro Homenagem António Carqueijeiro 1999 – Rare Syrah – 95 Points – Wooden Case

Quinta do Monte d’Oiro “Homenagem a António Carqueijeiro” 1999 – 95 Points An exceptionally rare mature Portuguese red from Quinta do Monte d’Oiro, produced as a special tribute by José Bento dos Santos to António Mário Carqueijeiro. The 1999 Homenagem occupies a particularly unusual position in the history of Quinta do Monte d’Oiro. This special cuvée was produced in only two vintages, 1999 and 2001, making surviving bottles increasingly difficult to source. The 1999 was produced predominantly from Syrah, complemented by Viognier, reflecting the estate’s strong inspiration from the great Syrah wines of France’s Northern Rhône. Historical references identify the composition as approximately 94% Syrah and 6% Viognier. Quinta do Monte d’Oiro is situated near Alenquer in the Lisboa wine region, where clay-limestone soils and strong Atlantic influence provide the conditions for slow maturation while retaining freshness and aromatic character. The 1999 received an outstanding 95/100 from Falstaff. Its tasting profile showed blackberry and cassis alongside dried fruit and balsamic complexity, with dense dark fruit and a substantial tannic structure. Now more than a quarter-century from harvest, this is a fascinating opportunity to acquire one of the rare early benchmark Syrah-based wines of modern Portuguese winemaking.