Tiago Teles Raiz Tinto 2022

Tiago Teles is a small natural wine producer working in Bairrada, in Portugal's Beiras region. Raiz Tinto is built around the Alfrocheiro grape with a very small share of the white Bical. The Atlantic influence of Bairrada brings cool, damp conditions and a long growing season, which keeps acidity high and alcohol moderate, while the region's limestone and clay soils lend a mineral, savoury character. In the cellar the grapes are crushed without destemming and ferment with their own yeasts in one thousand litre tanks, followed by a short maceration and a light pressing to keep tannin gentle. The wine then ages for ten months in bare cement tanks on its fine lees, an inert vessel that preserves fresh fruit while lees contact adds a little texture and breadth. It is farmed organically and made as a natural wine, unfined and unfiltered. Colour is bright, light ruby. The nose shows red berries, cherry and plum with black pepper, dried herbs and a mineral note. The palate is light, fluid and refreshing, with crunchy fruit, fine tannin and a clean, spiced finish. Serve lightly chilled at around fourteen degrees, with pork, poultry or mushrooms.