Dos Lusíadas Eleivera Tinto 2023

Dos Lusíadas is the Portuguese venture of Michel Chapoutier, the Rhône winegrower who took on his family estate in 1990 and has since sought out fine vineyards in France and beyond. In the Alto Douro he works to express terroir as faithfully as he does at home, and Eleivera is made from the native Touriga Nacional in the DOC Douro. The Douro's defining feature is its schist, a layered, heat retaining rock that the vines penetrate in search of water through long, dry summers, drawing concentration and a firm mineral spine into the fruit. Steep terraced slopes and a continental climate ripen Touriga Nacional fully while the altitude of the higher sites preserves freshness and the variety's floral aromatics. Barrel ageing rounds the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds a frame of spice without burying the fruit. The wine is a deep ruby to purple, with a nose of blackberry, dark plum, violet and a touch of pepper and oak spice. The palate is full bodied and structured, with firm, fine grained tannins, good acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant. It is a natural partner for roast and grilled red meats.