LAS Vino Pirate Blend 2023

Accolades

93 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion

Jane Faulkner describes the 2023 Pirate Blend as mostly Touriga Nacional with a generous portion of Tinta Cão and a splash of Sousão, noting it as an excellent combination. She highlights Christmas cake spice, star anise, cinnamon and black pepper, with a fuller-bodied palate, plentiful tannins and ultra-refreshing acidity.

Tasting Notes 

Colour: Ruby red with deep brightness.

Aromatics: Plum compote, blueberry and red berries, lifted by cinnamon, clove, sweet spice, dark chocolate and a hint of pepper.

Palate: Silky, exotic and full of flavour. Red berry sweetness and blue-fruit depth sit alongside cocoa, spice and savoury complexity. The tannins are soft and polished, giving the wine structure without making it feel hard or heavy.

Finish: Long, complex and intriguing, with lingering spice, cocoa, plum and dark berry fruit.

About the Wine

Pirate Blend is an ode to doing things differently. Rather than leaning on the expected Margaret River varieties, L.A.S. Vino has built this wine around three Portuguese grapes that bring colour, perfume, structure and a wild streak of character.

Touriga Nacional gives the wine its backbone and depth. Tinta Cão adds aromatic lift and finesse. Sousão brings deep colour and dark berry richness. Together, they create a red that feels bold, spicy, textural and refreshingly different.

It is a great wine for people who love Margaret River quality but want a bottle with a bit more attitude.

Viticulture and Winemaking

Producer: L.A.S. Vino
Wine: Pirate Blend
Vintage: 2023
Region: Yallingup, Margaret River, Western Australia
Blend: 66.6% Touriga Nacional, 26.6% Tinta Cão, 6.9% Sousão
Vineyard: 40-year-old dry-grown vines
Soil: Gravelly loam
Fruit handling: Hand picked, bunch sorted and berry sorted
Maturation: 18 months in barrique
Closure: Diam and hand wax
Style: Dry, full-flavoured red blend

Serving and Cellaring 

Serve: 16 to 18°C

If the bottle has been sitting at warm room temperature, place it in the fridge for around 15 minutes before serving. This keeps the fruit fresh and the tannins smooth.

Decant: 45 to 60 minutes recommended while young. This will help the spice, dark fruit and cocoa notes open up.

Cellaring: Drinking well now with a decant, or cellar for five to ten years if you enjoy more savoury, spiced and integrated red wine characters.

Food Pairing 

• Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic
• Chargrilled steak with chimichurri
• Portuguese chicken or smoky paprika dishes
• Barbecue ribs or brisket
• Chorizo, salami and charcuterie
• Mushroom and beef ragu
• Manchego, aged cheddar or Comté

FAQ 🧐

What is L.A.S. Vino Pirate Blend made from?
The 2023 vintage is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão and Sousão, three Portuguese varieties that bring dark fruit, spice, perfume, colour and structure.

Is Pirate Blend similar to Shiraz?
It will appeal to Shiraz drinkers because it has dark fruit, spice and richness, but it has a more exotic, savoury and Portuguese-inspired character.

Is it full-bodied?
Yes, it sits in the fuller-bodied range, but it has freshness and silky tannins that keep it balanced.

Is it sweet?
No. This is a dry red wine. The ripe fruit gives it a generous impression, but the finish is dry, spicy and savoury.

What does it taste like?
Expect plum compote, blueberry, red berries, cinnamon, clove, dark chocolate, cocoa and sweet spice.

Should I decant it?
Yes, especially while young. A decant will help the wine open up and show more of its spice, fruit and texture.