In Portalegre the agricultural year was dry and relatively mild with the wide diurnal temperature variations during the hotter months contributing to even progression of the maturations and to the preservation of the acidity in the grapes, which reached the vintage particularly fresh and with aromatic exuberance. There was some rain during August in the lead up to the vintage and this rebalanced the vines in the final ripening stretch and created the conditions necessary for completion of phenolic maturation. Yields were relatively low, and this contributed to better balance and higher quality in the grapes. We produced very fresh, elegant wines, whilst still taut and with a well-defined texture. In this third vintage in Portalegre ,we made wines that were the closest yet to the typical profile of this subregion.
Reviews
An elegant red, medium-bodied and focused, with fine, trim tannins structuring the pure range of damson plum reduction and black raspberry coulis, with iron, violet and bay leaf accents. Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Alfrocheiro Preto. Drink now through 2029. 2,500 cases made, 250 cases imported.
The 2019 Tinto is a 45/30 blend of Alicante Bouschet and Alfrocheiro with the rest Syrah and old vines, aged in an equal mixture of stainless steel and used French oak for eight months. It comes in at 14.7% alcohol. Both fresher and earthier than its Alfrocheiro sibling in this report, this still isn't nearly as friendly or as fruity. Instead, you get a sterner flavor profile with beefy nuances and licorice, the bright fruits not nearly as apparent. It's beautifully focused, though, and it has a serious spine. If you don't mind things that are a little beefy, this works great. It should hold well, but it does need to open and become a bit more expressive.