Quinta do Monte Xisto Oriente Tinto 2023

Quinta do Monte Xisto is the project of João Nicolau de Almeida and family, working in the DOC Douro in northern Portugal, a lineage tied to the iconic Barca Velha. Oriente Tinto is built from Tinta Cão and Tinta Francisca, two traditional and increasingly rare Douro varieties that favour structure, freshness and savoury character over sheer power. The Douro is defined by its schist soils, the broken slate that gives the estate its name. Schist holds little water and forces vines to root deep, while the region's hot days and cool nights preserve acidity and aromatic detail through ripening. The wine is organically farmed and aged 18 months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange settles the tannin and adds a measured spice and toast without burying the fruit. The result is a deep red with a nose of dark plum, cherry and dried herbs over pepper and a stony, mineral edge from the schist. The palate is medium to full, firmly structured and savoury, with fine tannin and a long, earthy finish. Serve at 17 degrees and decant for an hour. It is made for roast lamb and beef.