PRIMADO
Red
PRIMADO RED
Primado Red is a wine of great complexity with unusual longevity.
It remains in very long stages and is only commercialised at its ideal point of consumption, many years after its harvest.
“
The decision to age a wine requires the triumph of wisdom over curiosity and impatience. It is as risky as it is exciting as it draws you into a unique universe where, through this slow and delicate process of evolution, the conditions are created for the revelation of countless levels of complexity and the possibility of a wine reaching its maximum expression.
After the vinification process, which takes place in a granite mill with foot treading, the wine is subjected to different stages in stainless steel, French oak and bottle for a long period of several years. During this time, the wines are rigorously and regularly monitored to assess their evolution.
This diversified and prolonged ageing process gives Primado the velvety flavour and elegance that are so peculiar to it.
“
Primado Red is a wine with fine and complex aromas, intense but with a delicate structure in the mouth. With firm but delicate tannins, it reveals a surprising freshness.
As an iron hand in a velvet glove, it is full-bodied but exceptionally elegant.
PRIMADO
Red 20
Blend of different vintages to celebrate 20 years since the first vintage of Primado.
limited edition of 315 Magnum bottles
PRIMADO Red 20
— limited edition of 315 Magnum bottles —
“2004 is a year that I'll always remember for the realization of two dreams, being a father and being a producer of great wine.
Both journeys were painful. Until having my daughter Maria Sofia in my arms, I suffered terribly heartbreaking losses. To produce the first vintage of Primado, we spent fourteen long years taking good care so that the vineyard reached the maturity necessary to produce wines of special complexity.
This wine, presented only in a Magnum bottle, is a very limited edition of a blend of wines from different vintages that portrays a journey through 20 years of great emotions, dedication and detailed work.
In these 20 years, the family has grown with Inês and Maria Benedita and we all live the project with great enthusiasm and devotion.”
Manuel Pereira de Melo
Grape varieties
Touriga Nacional | Tinta-Roriz | Alfrocheiro, Jaen and Tinta Pinheira
Vinification
Each vintage of this blend of wines was produced from specially selected grapes and subjected to pre-fermentation maceration and fermentation at a controlled temperature in a granite press with foot treading.
Ageing
Each vintage was aged for a minimum of 12 months in stainless steel and a minimum of 24 months in French oak. After preparing the blend, the wine was subjected to prolonged ageing in Magnum bottles.
Maturity
40 years.
Notes
Clear and with an intense shine, it has a beautiful scarlet red colour.
In a true woodland setting, the aromas reveal the presence of wild fruits, notably blackberry and redcurrant, as well as forest floor, cedar, pine needles, spices and floral notes.
The great complexity of this wine is also revealed on the palate, with a surprising youthfulness and freshness that blend harmoniously with the elegance that is so distinctive of Primado, showing a complex velvety flavour where the spicy notes stand out.
This is a wine with a special capacity for long ageing in the bottle.
Food pairing
Red and matured meats, game, cod, fatty baked fish, cheeses and chocolate desserts.
PRIMADO
Red
Family Cellar Edition
2013
limited edition of 3500 numbered bottles
PRIMADO Red Family Cellar Edition 2013
— limited edition of 3500 numbered bottles —
Produced from specially selected grapes and subjected to exceptionally long ageing that has given it a sublime velvety elegance, it is a rare wine of great complexity and unusual longevity.
Grape varieties
60% Touriga Nacional | 25% Tinta-Roriz | 15% Alfrocheiro, Jaen and Tinta Pinheira
Vinification
Pre-fermentation maceration and fermentation at controlled temperature in granite mill with foot treading.
Ageing
Minimum 12 months in stainless steel, minimum 24 months in French oak, minimum 48 months in bottle.
Maturity
30 years.
Notes
Clear and bright, it has a garnet red colour.
The complex aromas emphasise forest fruits, berries and subtle red fruit. The finish reveals floral and spicy notes and a slight vanilla flavour.
On the palate, the body and enormous elegance come together in an elegant and complex velvet, emphasising the spicy notes.
The austere tannins give it an extraordinary capacity for long ageing in the bottle.
Food pairing
Red meats, matured meats, game, cod, fatty baked fish, cheeses and chocolate desserts.
PRIMADO
Red 2015
limited edition of 5900 numbered bottles
PRIMADO Red 2015
— limited edition of 5900 numbered bottles —
A wine in which complexity, freshness and elegance combine in an absolutely surprising way.
With great longevity, it is always commercialised at its ideal point of consumption, many years after its harvest.
Grape varieties
40% Touriga Nacional | 30% Tinta-Roriz | 30% Alfrocheiro, Jaen and Tinta Pinheira
Vinification
Pre-fermentation maceration and fermentation at controlled temperature in granite mill with foot treading.
Ageing
Minimum 12 months in stainless steel, minimum 12 months in French oak, minimum 24 months in bottle.
Maturity
25 years.
Notes
It has an intense, brick-red colour.
In the aromas, the fruit is very present, revealing strength and youthfulness. Notes of forest and hints of toast and vanilla blend harmoniously.
The acidity, which is very present in the mouth, envelops the fine tannins, revealing great character and making it especially elegant. It promises a long life in the bottle.
Food pairing
Red meats, matured meats, game, cod, fatty baked fish, cheeses and chocolate desserts.
Honours
2025 | 19 points, Blind tasting “Tintos de Sonho” (Dreamy Reds) organised by Wine & Stuff (Primado Red Family Cellar Edition 2013)
2025 | 18,5 points, Fernando Melo in Evasões (Primado 20)
2025 | 94 points, Tiago Simões – Sommelier of the Portuguese international tasting team (Primado Red Family Cellar Edition 2013)
2025 | 94 points, Tiago Simões – Sommelier of the Portuguese international tasting team (Primado Red 2015)
2025 | 94 points, Tiago Simões – Sommelier of the Portuguese international tasting team (Primado 20)
2025 | 93 points and mention "Highly Recommended", Revista de Vinhos (Primado Red Family Cellar Edition 2013)
2025 | 92/18 points, Wine & Stuff (Primado Tinto 2015)
2025 | 18 points, Revista Paixão pelo Vinho (Primado Red Family Cellar Edition 2013)
2025 | 91/18 points, Blind tasting "Dão Reds – Timeless Wines" organised by Wine & Stuff (Primado Tinto 2015).
2025 | 17,5 points, João Paulo Martins (Primado Red 2015)
2025 | 17,5 points, Revista Paixão pelo Vinho (Primado Red 2015)
2024 | 95/19 points, Wine & Stuff (Primado 20)
2024 | 94 points and mention "Highly Recommended", Revista de Vinhos (Primado 20)
2024 | 94 points, Wine & Stuff (Primado Red Family Cellar Edition 2013)
2023 | 17,5 points, João Paulo Martins (Primado Red 2012)
2023 | 17 points, Revista Grandes Escolhas (Primado Red 2012)
2023 | 17 points, Revista Paixão pelo Vinho (Primado Red 2012)
2022 | 18 points and mention "Highly Recommended" in "Best Scored" of the top red tasting of 2012, Revista de Vinhos (Primado Red 2012)
2022 | Gold in "Best Wines of Dão 2022", CVRD (Primado Red 2012)
2022 | 91/18 points, Wine & Stuff (Primado Red 2012)
2021 | 90 points, Imperdíveis - Porto Canal TV (Primado Red 2011)
2020 | 90 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, Mark Squires, USA (Primado Red 2011)
2020 | 17 points, Top red tasting, Revista de Vinhos (Primado Red 2011)
2019 | 93%, Andreas Larson (Primado Red 2010)
2018 | 17 points, Revista Grandes Escolhas (Primado Red 2010)
2015 | Tempranillo de Plata, Tempranillos al Mundo, Federación Española de Asoociacones de Enólogos (Primado Red 2009)