After the excitement of making the first Reserva, the 2011, and on a year that, in general, gave great wines, we could ask, what now? Now, the year 2012, presented us with a balanced year, and with an extraordinary Syrah, reason why it was included in the lot. We hope you enjoy! 

 

M. de Sousa Otto, May 2014

 

Technical Specifications

 

Region:

Alentejo/Quintos

 

Classification:

Vinho Regional Alentejano Tinto Reserva 2012

 

Harvest year:

2012

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Wine year:

2012 was a very dry year, with low rainfall, during the winter, spring and summer, except for some light rain, during the pre-flowering period. There was a delay in sprouting of about three weeks that affected the maturation of the grapes. From the point of view of plant health, it was an excellent year and has not been necessary to make many treatments. The whole of the grapes was in very good health status. 

 

Grape varieties:

Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Sousão.

 

Vinification and maturing process:

Following gentle crushing and destemming, the grapes are placed into stainless steel vats undergoing o process of fermentation. During this time, delicate extraction is carried out by means of an existing maceration system, reassembling by pump with temperature control. Finally, after prolonged maceration and, one by one according to the harvest quality and wine varieties, the wine is placed in vats. Then the wine matures in French oak barrels for 16 months after which, it proceeds to get bottled.

 

Wine analysis:

Alc./ vol = 14%;

Total acidity = 5,9 g/l;

PH = 3,72

 

Production:

2.100 bottles of 0,75L

150 bottles of 1,5L 

 

Bottled:

May 2014

 

Tasting notes:

The wine color is deep ruby almost opaque. The aroma is complex, intense and harmonious, with emphasis on the ripe red fruits, pepper spice , cinnamon and saffron, light balsamic notes of truffles and “sous-bois”. The wood of very high quality is discrete and well integrated. In the mouth is has good volume, the acidity is well present, good quality tannins are well-wrapped, spicy notes and of red fruits, with a long and very elegant finish. 

 

Wine-matching:

A very “gastronomic” wine owing to its acidity and elegance, excellent to accompany lamb stew or hare bean stew.