Trans Douro Express Baixo Corgo 2022

Trans Douro Express is a project by Mateus Nicolau de Almeida, from a winemaking family long tied to the Douro, built to show the three climatic zones of the valley in separate bottlings. This one comes from the Baixo Corgo, the coolest and wettest sector in the west, from a field blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca. The Douro's steep schist soils force vines to root deep for water and give the wines their mineral backbone, while the cooler Baixo Corgo climate keeps this expression fresher and lighter than Douro reds from further east. Fermentation and ageing take place in cement tanks rather than oak, an inert material that holds temperature steady and preserves pure fruit and freshness without adding wood flavour or tannin. It is farmed organically. Colour is bright ruby. The nose shows red berries, plum and cherry with black pepper, dried herbs and a stony, schist mineral note. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, with fine tannin, lively acidity and a savoury, mineral finish. Serve at around sixteen degrees, with grilled and roast meats or mushrooms.