Vinhas Velhas – Red 2014 – Dão Serra da Estrela - Antonio Madeira

       

History has taught us that Dão belongs to those places that Man has long-recognised as exceptional for producing great wines. Despite its enormous potential to produce red and white wines, it is a region that continues to stubbornly remain out of the limelight.

António Madeira, who is French of Portuguese descent, has his roots in the foothills of Serra da Estrela. Since 2010, António Madeira has been researching, the places in this sub-region, that our ancestors elected as the best for vine, those that we might call the «Grands Crus of the Dão highlands» and found a series of old vines that are distinctive because of the authenticity of their grape varieties, the characteristics and nuances of their granite soils and sun exposures.

2014 was a late year, marked by heavy rains of September. Manual and careful harvest enabled to pick only the healthy and ripe grapes. 40% of the production was lost in the harvest.

This red Vinhas Velhas 2014 comes from the blend of several small old vineyards cultivated by Antonio with dedication. It illustrates very well the philosophy of the domain.

VINIFICATION

The vinification philosophy was to respect the grapes and nature and focus on seeking the expression of the terroir of Serra da Estrela, thus, no other product was used except sulphur.

Alcoholic fermentation took place in open vats with traditional treading and began naturally, with the yeast from the vine itself, to express its identity in the purest form.

Very little extraction was sought. After pressing, the wine was placed directly into used French oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation took place until the following spring and where it aged for 18 months. Bottling took place in August 2016.

TASTING NOTES

This wine expresses the character and elegance of the land that witnessed its birth and takes us on a journey through time to discover the aromas and flavours of Serra da Estrela foothills, just as they were back in the time of our forefathers.

Mineral aromas and flavours of granite and fresh red forest fruits. With vegetal nuances and perfumed by small flowers, pine needles and pine forest. Delicate, pure, tightly knit, full of life, elegant and structured, it is noteworthy because of its fresh and persistent balance.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

PRODUCER : António Madeira          REGION : Dão – Serra da Estrela          SOIL TYPE : Granite

VINEYARDS : Around 10 small old vineyards          AVERAGE VINE AGE : from 50 up to 90 years old

GRAPE VARIETIES : Field blend of Jaen, Tinta Amarela , Baga and 20 other native grape varieties

ALT. FROM SEA LEVEL : 500 m          PRUNING METHOD : Guyot          

HARVEST PERIOD : End of September 2014          HARVEST METHOD : Hand picked

FERMENTATION :  Indigenous yeasts, open vats with controlled temperature

MALOLACTIC : Used barrels         

AGEING : 18 months in used French oak barrels (225 L) and 6 months in stainless steel tanks

BOTTLED : August 2016

 ALCOHOL : 12.4%          PH    3,63          TOTAL ACIDITY (G/L)    6,10          VOLATILE ACIDITY (G/L)    0,79

FREE SO2 AT BOTTLING (MG/L)    20          TOTAL SO2 (MG/L)    61         RESIDUAL SUGAR (G/L)    0,4

VOLUMIC MASS (G/ML)    0,9922

PRODUCTION : 2600 bottles

FOOD SUGGESTIONS : Lamb, duck, codfish.