Montes Claros Garrafeira Red 75cl

REGION: BORBA – ALENTEJO – PORTUGAL

CLASSIFICATION: D.O.C. ALENTEJO

TYPE: RED

HARVEST: 2017

QUALITY DESIGNATOR: BOTTLE

VARIETIES: TRINCADEIRA, ARAGONEZ, SYRAH AND TOURIGA NACIONAL

SOILS: CLAY-LIMESTONE AND SHALE

CAPACITY: 0.75L

Winemaking: Montes Claros with the designation “Garrafeira” was made from a prior selection of old vines installed on shale soils, with strict control of grape production per hectare and monitoring of the evolution of maturation in each variety and specific plot. This process particularly involved the associated winegrowers, who took extreme care to produce extra quality grapes. Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were gently crushed with total stemming, followed by the alcoholic fermentation process in a stainless steel mill, with moderate mechanical treading, ending in maceration for 10 days, under temperature control at 24ºC. Malolactic fermentation took place in first-use French, American and brown oak barrels, followed by a 12-month aging period in the same barrels. After slight filtration, bottling took place and a final aging in the cellar for 30 months in bottle.

Tasting Notes: Clear appearance and garnet color with depth. Good aromatic intensity, with emphasis on notes of red fruits in jam, coffee, chocolate and spices. Soft flavor, with fruity freshness, excellent structure, slight spicy and toasted astringency, with wild tannins, but soft and full-bodied. Very prolonged fatty finish, with balance, elegance and persistence.