Dão Red
Elegant, fresh reds from granite soils. Often called Portugal’s answer to Burgundy for their finesse and ability to age. Touriga Nacional, Jaen and Alfrocheiro are the classic trio.
Bottles to try
Critics’ picks
Scores out of 100 belong to one bottle and vintage, not the whole style. We only list scores and rankings we could confirm in a public source; follow each link to check. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Prices are US release prices per 75 cl as printed by the critic; value compares the score with the price trend.
| Bottle | Critic | Score | Price · value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| António Madeira A Palheira, Serra da Estrela 2021 | Wine Spectator | 91pts | $45 Good value (+0.9 pts) |
28 Feb 2026 issue |
| Taboadella Jaen Reserva 2021 | Wine Spectator | 91pts | $36 Good value (+1.5 pts) |
28 Feb 2026 issue |
| António Madeira A Palheira 2022 | James Suckling | No. 6, Top 100 Wines of Portugal 2025 |
— | 8 Oct 2025 |
Grapes
Producers
Sogrape
Est. 1942Portugal’s largest family-owned wine company, founded to make Mateus Rosé. Today it owns Casa Ferreirinha, Sandeman, Quinta dos Carvalhais in the Dão and estates in Vinho Verde and the Alentejo.
Quinta dos Roques
A family estate that helped lead the Dão’s quality revival with single-variety Encruzado and Touriga Nacional.
Quinta da Pellada (Álvaro Castro)
Álvaro Castro’s estates at the foot of the Serra da Estrela make some of the Dão’s most celebrated, finely balanced wines.
Casa da Passarella
A historic estate in the Serra da Estrela foothills, revived in the 2000s and known for wines from old field-blend vineyards.
Quinta dos Carvalhais
Sogrape’s Dão estate, home of the long-running Duque de Viseu brand and fine single-variety wines.
Caves São João
A historic merchant house with a huge cellar of old Bairrada and Dão reds, released decades after the harvest.
Taboadella
A Dão estate in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela bought by the Amorim family in 2018, with a new winery designed by architect Carlos Castanheira. Known for single-variety Encruzado, Jaen and Alfrocheiro as well as blends.
António Madeira
A French-born winemaker of Portuguese descent who returned to his family’s village in the Serra da Estrela in 2010. He rescues small, old field-blend plots on granite and makes fresh, light-handed Dão.
Global Wines (Cabriz & Casa de Santar)
One of the Dão’s largest producers, formerly called Dão Sul. Its brands include Cabriz and the historic Casa de Santar estate, a manor at the heart of the Dão with vines documented since the 16th century.