António Madeira Vinhas Velhas Tinto 2021

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. 2021 was a year impacted by important rains on the Harvest period (more than 100mm in september). 2021 are ripe and low alcohol wines. This red Vinhas Velhas 2021 comes from the blend of 20 small old vineyards cultivated by Antonio with dedication. It illustrates very well the philosophy of the domain.

Grape Varieties: Field blend of Jaen, Baga, Tinta Amarela and 20 other native grape varieties.

Soil: Granite

Vineyard: 20 small old vineyards around 50 to 100 years old.

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 sulfur. Alcoholic fermentation took place in open vats 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.

Ageing: 18 months in used French oak barrels (600, 500, 400 and 225 L) and 6 months in stainless steel tanks.

Tasting Notes: Brooding floral aromatics of red cherries and plums. The palate has freshness and depth with good acidity and a lovely mineral, spicy undertow to the bright plummy fruit. There are so many levels to this: it’s not just about ripe fruit, but there’s also dried herb and mineral complexity. A complex wine, offering fruit, but also savoury complexity and good structure, with potential for development.

Serving Suggestions: Lamb, duck, codfish…