Tasting Notes
Intense bouquet of dark berries and cassis with floral and vegetal notes. Lively character on the palate with firm tannins and a long finish.
Intense bouquet of dark berries and cassis with floral and vegetal notes. Lively character on the palate with firm tannins and a long finish.
Varieties
A full-bodied, red variety, Touriga Nacional has been primarily used, historically, for blending port. However, it has recently been championed as a deep, structured grape producing some of Portugal’s best dry reds. With low yields and a strong resistance to disease, the tannic, complex wines created from Touriga Nacional helped inspire Bordeaux to allow it in its inclusion of seven new grape varieties to the region. Better known as Tempranillo in Spain, Tinta Roriz has spread rapidly throughout the Dão. Typically blended with Touriga Nacional and other grapes, it creates rich, lively red wines known for their intense berry flavour and notes of spice.
A full-bodied, red variety, Touriga Nacional has been primarily used, historically, for blending port. However, it has recently been championed as a deep, structured grape producing some of Portugal’s best dry reds. With low yields and a strong resistance to disease, the tannic, complex wines created from Touriga Nacional helped inspire Bordeaux to allow it in its inclusion of seven new grape varieties to the region. Better known as Tempranillo in Spain, Tinta Roriz has spread rapidly throughout the Dão. Typically blended with Touriga Nacional and other grapes, it creates rich, lively red wines known for their intense berry flavour and notes of spice.
Region
Perhaps surprisingly, only 5% of the Dão is under vine. Often planted in forest clearings and surrounded by mountains on three sides, the high elevations and relatively low temperatures here create a slower ripening process, resulting in wines of great acidic character. The region takes its name from the river, along which most of the vineyards are planted. The Dão Valley is now considered one of the top regions in Europe, creating spectacular wines most notably from Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz.
Perhaps surprisingly, only 5% of the Dão is under vine. Often planted in forest clearings and surrounded by mountains on three sides, the high elevations and relatively low temperatures here create a slower ripening process, resulting in wines of great acidic character. The region takes its name from the river, along which most of the vineyards are planted. The Dão Valley is now considered one of the top regions in Europe, creating spectacular wines most notably from Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz.
Vineyard
The vines are over 30 years olds and planted on middle slope vineyards at an altitude of 300-400 meters.
The vines are over 30 years olds and planted on middle slope vineyards at an altitude of 300-400 meters.
Winemaking
Natural vinification took place in steel tanks, with a long maceration. 25% matured in French oak for 8 months.
Natural vinification took place in steel tanks, with a long maceration. 25% matured in French oak for 8 months.