Quinta da Pedra Alta 'Melhor' Tinto is a complex, luxuriant Douro red, an ultimate expression of the vintage and our Quinta, a blend of the best barrels from our lowest and highest elevations on the Quinta.
In 2020, average Spring rainfall and above-average temperatures combined to bring forward bud burst by up to three weeks. Heatwaves through the summer resulted in below-average yields and an early start to harvest. But the elevation of our vineyards (250 to 500 masl), combined with the low yields, resulted in full-flavoured wines with good structure and balanced acidity.
Once the grapes are picked, our aim throughout is to preserve the fruit flavours and avoid over-extraction by gentle handling. The grapes are handpicked, hand sorted, destemmed, and fermented by wild yeasts at temperatures ranging from 20-25°C for 10-12 days on skins. The fermentation is managed by a variety of techniques depending on the fermentation vessel used. Foot treading followed by gentle plunging is employed on granite lagar ferments, whilst open top stainless steel tank/picking bin ferments are simply plunged. At the end of the maceration, the ferments are drained/pressed and transferred to a combination of new French oak puncheons (53%) and old French oak barriques to undergo MLF. Post MLF, sulphur dioxide is added, and the wines mature sur lie for 20 months before being blended. Each varietal wine/parcel brings unique attributes to the final blend. In a warm year, Touriga Nacional from the highest elevations of the Quinta brings along a textured palate with luscious red and blue fruits; Touriga Franca from the lowest elevations of the Quinta brings mid-palate weight and structure with rich black fruits and meaty characters; with the final seasoning provided by the punctuation of Sousão and Tinto Cão. Once blended, the wine was bottled in August 2022.
Producer: Quinta da Pedra Alta
Winemaker: João Pires & Matt Gant
Region: Douro (Cima Couro)
Style: Red
Grape Varietals: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão, Tinta Cão
Tasting Notes: Dark plum color. Red, blue and black fruits, with chocolate, spice notes and smoky oak complexity. Rich, luxuriant wine, with a long-textured palate and balanced acidity.
Pairing: Butelo com cascas, Milhos de ribeira de pena
Ratings: Coming Soon
Quinta da Pedra Alta 'Melhor' Tinto is a complex, luxuriant Douro red, an ultimate expression of the vintage and our Quinta, a blend of the best barrels from our lowest and highest elevations on the Quinta.
In 2020, average Spring rainfall and above-average temperatures combined to bring forward bud burst by up to three weeks. Heatwaves through the summer resulted in below-average yields and an early start to harvest. But the elevation of our vineyards (250 to 500 masl), combined with the low yields, resulted in full-flavoured wines with good structure and balanced acidity.
Once the grapes are picked, our aim throughout is to preserve the fruit flavours and avoid over-extraction by gentle handling. The grapes are handpicked, hand sorted, destemmed, and fermented by wild yeasts at temperatures ranging from 20-25°C for 10-12 days on skins. The fermentation is managed by a variety of techniques depending on the fermentation vessel used. Foot treading followed by gentle plunging is employed on granite lagar ferments, whilst open top stainless steel tank/picking bin ferments are simply plunged. At the end of the maceration, the ferments are drained/pressed and transferred to a combination of new French oak puncheons (53%) and old French oak barriques to undergo MLF. Post MLF, sulphur dioxide is added, and the wines mature sur lie for 20 months before being blended. Each varietal wine/parcel brings unique attributes to the final blend. In a warm year, Touriga Nacional from the highest elevations of the Quinta brings along a textured palate with luscious red and blue fruits; Touriga Franca from the lowest elevations of the Quinta brings mid-palate weight and structure with rich black fruits and meaty characters; with the final seasoning provided by the punctuation of Sousão and Tinto Cão. Once blended, the wine was bottled in August 2022.
Producer: Quinta da Pedra Alta
Winemaker: João Pires & Matt Gant
Region: Douro (Cima Couro)
Style: Red
Grape Varietals: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão, Tinta Cão
Tasting Notes: Dark plum color. Red, blue and black fruits, with chocolate, spice notes and smoky oak complexity. Rich, luxuriant wine, with a long-textured palate and balanced acidity.
Pairing: Butelo com cascas, Milhos de ribeira de pena
Ratings: Coming Soon
