Wine Tapada do Chaves Vinhas Velhas White 2019 75cl ( Old Vineyards)

Wine Tapada do Chaves Vinhas Velhas White 2019 75cl ( Old Vineyards)

Region: Portalegre, DOC Alentejo, Portugal

Grapes: Blend in centenary vines, with predominance of Arinto, Malvasia Rei, Tamarez, Roupeiro, Fernão Pires and Alicante Branco.

Soil Type: Granitic

Analytical data: Alcohol(%) -13

Total acidity (g/l tart. acid) – 6,1

pH – 3,09

Total sugars (g/l) – 1,3

Vineyards: Vinha Velha (1903)

The history of Tapada do Chaves goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, when the Chaves family planted the first vines on the slopes of Serra de São Mamede in their small tapada, starting a relationship of passion and dedication to the land.

Located in the parish of Frangoneiro, on the outskirts of Portalegre, Tapada do Chaves has been in existence for over a century and has taken on a prominent role in the creation of the demarcated region in the Alentejo with its wines of protected origin.

In Tapada do Chaves are two of the oldest vineyard plots in Alentejo, in production, with records in 1901 for red vines and in 1903 for white vines.

With 60 hectares of land and 32 of wine-growing heritage, the tapada is located on a granite massif and at a generous altitude, in an area strongly influenced by the orography and agroforestry cover, in a microclimate that is decisive for the quality and typicality of the wines produced there. It is a unique place for its heritage and potential.

Harvest: The 2017/18 winter was classified as cold and dry, with average temperature and precipitation values lower than normal.

However, 2018 was marked by the long period of temperatures above 40 degrees during the month of August, weather conditions that caused substantial delays in the vegetative cycle of the vines, with later maturation of about 3 weeks.

The year severely damaged the younger vines throughout the Alentejo, favoring the higher altitude and cooler regions, and especially the older vineyards, better adapted to climatic variations of high stress, such as those existing.

Vinification:

Manual harvest, followed by manual selection of the grape – carried out berry by berry, allowing to obtain high control in qualitative homogeneity from the beginning of the production process.
The grapes were pressed, followed by clarification of the must using the traditional method – by gravity and at low temperature.

Fermentations took place in French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks, at controlled temperature and using neutral yeasts, which allow for greater expression of terroir.

Ageing:

For 6 months in stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels, with batonnage. In bottle for 24 months.

Advised consumption date: 2021 to 2033

Serving temperature: 14ºC

Tasting notes in January 2021:

Straw color, citric. Intense and complex aroma, with notes of tropical fruit, orange tree, dry fruits and phosphorus.

In the mouth, the complexity of a very elegant evolution is revealed, with ripe fruit, minerality and long acidity standing out.

Very rich and intense finish, with high persistence and character.

Oenology: Pedro Baptista