Quinta da Pedra Alta Tinto Reserva is a complex, rich, oak-matured Douro red, made from a blend of selected parcels from the best sites 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 400 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, hogsheads, and barriques (66%) and old French oak puncheons and barriques (34%) 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, and Sousao brings deep colour and lively acidity. Once blended, the wine was bottled in September 2022.
Producer: Quinta da Pedra Alta
Winemaker: João Pires & Matt Gant
Region: Douro (Cima Couro)
Style: Red
Grape Varietals: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, Sousão
Tasting Notes: Dark plum. Red, blue, and black fruits, with meaty, spice notes and smoky oak complexity. Luscious and fruit-laden wine, with a long textured palate, and balanced acidity.
Pairing: Favas com chouriço (Fava Beans with chorizo), Arroz de Cabidela
Ratings: Coming Soon
Quinta da Pedra Alta Tinto Reserva is a complex, rich, oak-matured Douro red, made from a blend of selected parcels from the best sites 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 400 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, hogsheads, and barriques (66%) and old French oak puncheons and barriques (34%) 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, and Sousao brings deep colour and lively acidity. Once blended, the wine was bottled in September 2022.
Producer: Quinta da Pedra Alta
Winemaker: João Pires & Matt Gant
Region: Douro (Cima Couro)
Style: Red
Grape Varietals: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, Sousão
Tasting Notes: Dark plum. Red, blue, and black fruits, with meaty, spice notes and smoky oak complexity. Luscious and fruit-laden wine, with a long textured palate, and balanced acidity.
Pairing: Favas com chouriço (Fava Beans with chorizo), Arroz de Cabidela
Ratings: Coming Soon
