Quinta da Boavista- Terras de Tavares Reserva 1997

The vineyards are not certified organic, but we are farmed under organic and sustainable practices, such as use of copper and sulfur. Flowers and herbs such as chamomile act as fungus repellent. The winery is covered in photovoltaic cells; making us a net exporter of electricity and our wines carbon neutral.

Soil Type(s): Beyond the old granitic soils, this vineyard has also plots with even older origin due to marine sediments, from 500 million years ago, which originated shale clayey rocks soils.

Spontaneously co-fermented with extended skin contact and no temperature control, left on skins for one week. Continuing lees contact in stainless steel for 6 months after fermentation. Not fined or filtered. Expect sediment. After tank, the wine is transferred and aged 18 months in old 225L French barriques, bottle aged in cellar ever since.

João will tell you all he needs to make wine is grapes, water to clean his equipment and a touch of sulfur at bottling. He rarely uses products in the vineyard, and when he does he only uses topical organic treatments. In today’s world, this is about as minimal as it gets. João isn’t following a natural wine trend. This is how he and his father have always done it. His wine is released when he feel the vintage is showing at its best. This is a very special vintage, it is João's 1st vintage making this wine. It is quite an amazing expression of the Dão's longevity and nimbleness. It is Portugal's nod to Burgundy. Wow.

Lamb Chops, Murcella, Boudin Noir, Mushrooms, Bacon, Liver & Onions, Coq au Vin, Sopa di Piedra

• French, Portuguese, Northern Italian, British, Basque, Lebanese, American