Adega Reg. de Colares Arenae Ramisco 2016

Adega Regional de Colares is a small cooperative on the Sintra coast near Lisbon, guardian of the tiny DOC Colares and its native Ramisco grape, one of the oldest in Portugal. Arenae comes from vines planted less than a kilometre from the Atlantic in deep coastal sand. Because the phylloxera louse cannot survive in pure sand, the vines grow ungrafted on their own roots, an unusual survival, and the constant sea breeze and cool maritime climate keep sugars low and acidity high. Ramisco is naturally pale, highly acidic and firmly tannic, a variety built for long ageing. This bottling spends around sixty months, five years, in wood, where slow oxidative ageing softens the fierce tannin and builds savoury, tertiary complexity while the fruit holds. Colour is pale, translucent ruby with a garnet rim. The nose shows red berries, red currant and dried cherry over brine, dried herbs and earth. The palate is light bodied yet intense, with bracing acidity, still firm tannin and a distinctly salty, savoury finish. Serve at around sixteen degrees. It suits meaty fish, poultry and hard cheese.