Monte Cascas Vinha da Carpanha

Description

Monte Cascas Vinha da Carpanha 2014 — a single vineyard at 526 metres in the Dão

Jaen and Touriga Nacional from a 56-year-old vineyard at Penalva do Castelo, deep in Portugal’s highest mountains. Lagar fermentation, 24 months in French oak, cellaring to 2035.

Penalva do Castelo lies 89 kilometres from the coast at 526 metres of altitude, enclosed by the highest mountains in the country. The vineyard is 56 years old, planted at 2,796 vines per hectare and Royat-trained, yielding eight tonnes. Soils are sandy granite broken by seams of schist and clay; the climate is mild and sheltered.

The blend is 65% Jaen and 35% Touriga Nacional, hand-picked in the second week of October. Thirty per cent partial destemming, crushing into lagar, three days of cold maceration, twelve days of temperature-controlled fermentation with gentle foot treading twice a day. Malolactic in new French oak, then 24 months in used French barrels. 14% alcohol.

Deep red. The nose is layered — bergamot, violets, blueberry, forest floor, balsamic and aromatic herbs, with wood and spice underneath. The palate carries blackberry, blueberry and balsamic weight on a firm, elegant frame.

Serve at 18 ºC. Cellaring 2015–2035. Pairs with pata negra, Serra da Estrela cheese, game stew or roast lamb. First vintage produced: 2010.

Read more in the Journal

• The Secret of Flavour: How Climate Shapes Wine
• Winter in the Vineyard: When Nothing Happens — and Everything Is Being Decided