Reserve 2015

Parcels of vines situated on the steep slopes of the River Pinhão at an altitude of 150-400 m, with poor, stony schistose soil; low yielding vines with grapes of high concentration and quality.

The weather in the year of the 2015 vintage was very favourable, with sunshine, heat and low humidity, encouraging very uniform vegetative growth. The year started rainy and cold (January to March) replenishing much of the water reserves in the soil, an important factor for a balanced bud break in late March. Following flowering in May, veraison began evenly in July, two weeks earlier than in the previous year. At the end of the vegetative cycle, the grapes were in an excellent state of health and ripeness. In September, the absence of rain and heat provided ideal conditions for the start of the harvest.

Fresh grapes at their ideal ripeness are picked by hand into 20 kg boxes. After destemming and gentle crushing, the grapes underwent five days of cold maceration. Fermentation took place over 10 days with daily delestage. Following fermentation, 50% of the wine was aged for 12 months in French oak casks.