Tasting Notes
Deep ruby black with narrow purple rim. A nose of wonderfully pure, vibrant red fruit, with crisp aromas of cranberry, raspberry and cherry and lively notes of plum and apricot. Emerging in turn from behind this curtain of fresh fruit are spicy aromas of black pepper and nutmeg, warm notes of mocha and scents of cedar wood and balsamic herbs. In contrast, the palate is voluptuous, with dense, mouth filling tannins providing both body and firmness and a thick coulis of black woodland fruit that flows into the endless finish. Although the first impression is of an ethereal purity, the wine develops an intricate complexity in the glass and displays the powerful but beautifully integrated tannins which are a hallmark of the vintage.
Viticultural Year
The viticultural year in the Douro Valley began with a very wet spring. This rainfall was welcome after the very dry conditions in 2015 and helped restore ground water reserves throughout the region. On the other hand, these cool and wet spring conditions also led to late start of ripening season. After spring, summer was particularly hot and dry, which continued until late September. In spite of the heat, due to the abundant ground water reserves and the late cycle, maturation was slow and even. By the end of August, most grapes were not yet ripe but, in mid-September, a spell of rain helped accelerate and complete the ripening process. From the second half of September and well into October, the weather provided ideal harvesting conditions. Low night-time temperatures helped to extend fermentation times and allow for gradual and gentle extraction, which contributed to the great quality of the tannins and the elegance of the 2016 wines.
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