Temperatures and rainfall during the winter were close to the seasonal average for the region, but temperatures rose substantially during the spring and this accelerated the vines’ growth cycle. The considerable heat continued during the summer with virtually no rainfall from the middle of May. However, the advanced growth cycle and the good management of the water reserves accumulated during the winter and beginning of spring, and the diurnal temperature variation (hot days, cool nights), typical of higher altitudes, favoured balanced and complete ripening, all the more remarkable in such a hot, dry year. The harvest was one of the earliest in living memory and it was possible to harvest selectively, ensuring that all the parcels were picked at the right time. Low yields, combined with excellent maturations, paved the way for wines of great concentration and of exceptional quality.
Reviews
The first release from the Symington family’s new project in the foothills of the Serra de São Mamede, this wine is made by José Daniel Soares from 20-year-old vines at the estate. It’s a blend of alicante bouschet (40 percent) with trincadeira, alfrocheiro, cabernet sauvignon and syrah. The wine’s red and black currant flavors release a stream of white narcissus scents, hibiscus notes and savory, mineral tannins that feel padded with richness. Those mineral depths last alongside and beneath the just-ripe fruit.
Violets, brambleberries, dried herbs, lemon zest and chalk on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with firm, fine tannins and bright acidity. Zesty, mineral finish.
The wine comes from an Alentejo estate acquired by the Douro’s Symington family in 2017. It is a powerfully structured wine. The tannins and the rich black fruits are laced with refreshing acidity, a sign of the estate’s 1,500-foot altitude.
Concentrated and structured, with a sleek, polished profile, offering currant and black cherry fruit interwoven with graphite, mocha and baking spice details. Plush, integrated tannins course through the finish, packed with black tea and wild rosemary elements. Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Alfrocheiro.