Conditions
2014 was characterized by above average rainfall throughout the year, particularly in January, February, July and September. There were unusual storms during June and July. In terms of average temperatures, January was above the usual average and August fresher than what is common in the region. Throughout spring and summer there had to be extra care to prevent from mildium, oidium and some rot, but all grapes sourced appeared in great sanitary condition. Harvest appeared to be quite advanced at the beginning, however, rainfall delayed picking and also reduced probable alcohol levels in the grapes. We saw a relative increase in production per hectare this year, with a very high quality for the resulting wines.

Grape Origins
A blend of several grape varieties (over 30) from different plots in the Rio Torto and Rio Pinhão Valleys, ranging from 30 to 80 year old vineyards. The main vineyard is an 80-year-old vineyard, with a West facing slope.

Vinification and aging
All our grapes were foot trodden in lagares for 1 to 3 days before fermentation, and then fermented in any of the various stainless steel vats for 7 to 10 days at temperatures ranging from 22° to 27° Celsius, with pigeages by hand. We then rack the resulting wines in one and two year old Allier French oak 225 and 300-liter casks from various coopers where they go through malolactic fermentation. All wines are then carefully aged for 21 months in barriques keeping all different fermentations completely separated until the final blending takes place, just about one month before the bottling of the wines.

Analysis
Alcohol: 14,5 % vol
Total acidity: 5,10 g/l
Volatile acidity: 0,70 g/l
pH: 3,71
Total SO2: 100,0 mg/l
Residual sugars: < 0,6 g/l

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