Esporão Colheita Red 2024

Herdade do Esporão is one of Portugal's historic estates, set at Reguengos de Monsaraz within the DOC Alentejo, with boundaries little changed since 1267. This organic red blends Alicante Bouschet, Aragonés, Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, the warm continental climate of the Alentejo plain driving full ripeness across the field. Alicante Bouschet is one of the few teinturier grapes with red flesh, lending deep colour and dark fruit, while Touriga Nacional adds structure and floral lift. The wine spends six months in concrete tanks, an inert vessel that preserves primary fruit and freshness without imposing oak, followed by four months in bottle to settle. The colour is deep ruby with a purple rim. The nose carries ripe plum, blackberry and red berries over dried Mediterranean herbs and black pepper, with an earthy savoury base. The palate is full and rounded, the fruit ripe and the tannins supple, closing on liquorice and a warm, herbal finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanting briefly to open the fruit. It suits grilled and roasted red meats and hard sheep's cheeses.