2018 started off very dry, with the soils parched by the previous year’s rainfall deficit. However, the spring heralded abundant rain with the months between March and June all recording above-average precipitation, which amply replenished soil water reserves. The wet, cool spring and generally unsettled conditions continued into the summer and resulted in a diminishing of the crop size. Inevitably, the growth cycle of the vine was delayed, but a hot and dry August put maturations back on track. Climatic conditions in early September favored balanced ripening of the berries with good levels of acidity that are reflected in this wine’s balance. The vintage began at the Roriz and Perdiz vineyards on September 17th; the Touriga Nacional was picked from the 20th and the Touriga Franca from the 27th.
Reviews
The junior partner of Chryseia, this wine has generous tannins that are already beginning to soften. They promise a ripe, berry fruit-flavored wine, balanced with acidity and tannins and likely to be ready from 2023.
Black plums, violets, cloves, cocoa and some dried earth on the nose. It’s full-bodied and intensely flavorful. Smooth, velvety tannins. Slate and tar too. Chewy finish.
This is generous in its dark fruit flavors of floral blueberries and their skins along with woodland mushrooms. It’s a fruit-driven wine, edged by bay laurel scents and peppery spice. Decant it for beef with black mushrooms.
Currant and blackberry notes are flanked by graphite, cedar and espresso flavors in this sinewy red, with refined tannins enveloping the anise, wild herb and pepper notes along the finish. Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca.