ALVARO CASTRO – Quinta da Pellada Pape 2018

Dão is fast becoming the most sought-after region for Portuguese winemakers to venture into; according to many, it is one of the most perfect microclimates in the world: mountains protect it from the continental heat to the east and the heat of the Douro to the north, and cool Atlantic breezes come inland to regulate temperatures overall, resulting in wines with bright acidity, ethereal aromatics and compelling complexity. The DO’s granite-rich soils allow the indigenous grapes to shine in the wines, providing firm, crisp tannins in contrast to the bright fruit. Alvaro Castro has stated that “if God were to design a wine-growing region, it would look a lot like the Dão”.   There is no modern Dão without one of the region’s long-standing legends, Alvaro Castro, whose estate includes two small plots (or “quintas”) known as Pellada and Saes. Alvaro makes wine here with his daughter Maria, continuing a winemaking tradition that dates back to the 16th century. Together, they have resisted the internationalisation pressures of the 1980s and 1990s and instead continued their approach of slow winemaking using local grape varieties grown and processed in true Dāo (“field blend”) style.The 2018 Quinta da Pellada PaPe Tinto comes from some of the oldest plots on the Castro estate. The Touriga Nacional comes from a site known as “Outeiro”, while the Baga and the field blend of old vines come from the oldest part of Pellada.

WHAT MAKES THIS WINE SO UNIQUE?
This “50-50” wine offers an excellent insight into how the terroir of the Dão influences Touriga – one of Portugal’s most widely grown grape varieties – and how the traditional method of field blending adds tannin and complexity to the final product, making it an instant classic that belongs in every great cellar. 

RATING HISTORY:
2018 93 WA

GRAPES:
50% Touriga Naçional from the Outeiro vineyard and 50% Baga from Quinta da Pellada. Sustainably grown vines planted in 1950 on granite subsoil with clay and sandy soils at 500m altitude.
VINIFICATION AND AGEING:
Grapes were carefully hand selected and harvested in small crates, then fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks with 12 days of maceration. Maturation takes place for 30 months in French oak barrels of categories 2/3 (400 l and 600 l). This is a vegan wine. 

SITE, SOIL, CLIMATE:
The grapes come from two vineyards: Quinta da Pellada and Outeiro. The winery is located in the Serra da Estrela region of Dao, in central Portugal. The soils are predominantly granite with clay and sand components.

TASTING NOTES:
Intense ruby red colour. Very concentrated on the nose, with clear good quality wood. Elegant and powerful style. On the palate notes of red fruit with toasted notes on the finish. Fine and high quality tannins, very well balanced. Great complexity.

ALCOHOL CONTENT:
13.0%