Cota 700 Dão 2020

Description

Carlos Lucas started Quinta do Ribeiro Santo in the mid-noughties, an ancient property once owned by the local priest. A stream encircles the quaint vineyard providing protection from the vast neighbouring pine, eucalyptus and oak forest which surrounds the poor granite soils, perfect for viticulture. The name translates as “holy river estate”, a nod to both its history and surroundings.

The wine is made up of Touriga Nacional (40%), Alfrocheiro (30%) and Tinta-Roriz (Tempranillo, 30%), all hand-harvested and macerated at a low temperature, before fermentation and maturation in stainless steel. There is no oak used here.

Red, almost violet in colour, with a perfumed nose of mulberry and blackberries, peppery spice and hint of pine needles. Fresh and fruity on the open, with dry, soft tannins, this has a lovely balance of sweet and savoury, rich in flavour but elegant and smooth on the finish.