Quinta de Vale de Pios- Vale de Pios 2017

This is a dense, broad-shouldered powerful wine. The hot growing season provides ample opportunities to ripen the grapes, but behind the fruit there is an inherent acidity characteristic of the Douro. Ripe blue fruit, violets, herbes de provence, and soft oak spice notes balance the nose. The wine is powerful, yet still fresh. Powerful tannins round out the finish.

Vintage: 2017

Varietal: 70% Touriga Nacional, 20% Touriga Franca, 10% Tinta Cão

Appellation: Douro DOC

Sulphur (SO2): 90ppm, 30ppm free

Sugar: Dry

Acid: 5.1 g/L

pH: 3.8

Production Size: 4,000 bottles

Altitude: 250m (820.2ft)

Vineyard Age: 20 years

Residual Sugar: 0.6 g/L

Tannin: High

Alcohol: %14

Soil Type(s): Cambrian vertical black schist soils with high pH and extraordinary availability of minerals and drainage.

Vineyard Notes

Dry farmed, hand harvested. Minimal intervention. These grapes are picked about two weeks later than the Excomungado grapes, around September 20th.

Production Notes

Co-fermented using native yeasts. Fermentation happens in lagars, with pressing occurring only after malolactic is finished. Two years in French oak, 33% new, 2 years more aging in bottle.

Fun Fact

This wine is meant to be the flagship each year. These are the wines meant to be aged before consumption. 20 years of aging potential easily. The wine is more powerful and concentrated than the other reds produced from the same grapes. Basically, Joaquim's Grand Vin.

Food Pairing Notes

Beef Brisket, Ribeye, Burgers, Cassoulet, Lamb Stew, Venison, Chocolate Cake, Bittersweet Chocolate, Blackberry Cobbler.

Cuisines To Try With

Portuguese, American Casual, Brazilian, Argentine, Peruvian