Description

Year: 2006, a break in the drought: winter rains replenished the water table after the dry 2003–2004, and a hot May–July brought fine ripening and concentration. Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and other varietals from our older vines. Terroir: schist soils, arid Mediterranean climate, grade-A vineyards. Winemaking: foot-trodden 3–4 hours a day for 2 days in traditional lagares, fermented 2 days under temperature control, fortified with grape brandy at half sugar; aged 14 years in neutral French oak 500-litre puncheons and 228-litre barrels, bottled in 2024. 5,300 bottles. Alcohol: 20%.