Encoberta is the name of a small village of Penalva do Castelo (Castendo sub region), where in 2019 with our own grapes, Alfrocheiro (50%), Touriga Nacional (20%), Jaen (20%), and Tinta Roriz (10%), we made this wine. Vineyards with 28 years old at 500 m altitude with granite and clay soil composition are in conversion to organic certification since 2020.
The fruit was hand-harvested on September 15th and 16th . 2019 had a warm winter but a dry and cool spring that made working in the vineyard easier. With a summer of cool nights and warm/normal days, the maturation was slow and resulted in very expressive grapes in acidity. Encoberta 2019 Dão red wine was fermented with wild yeasts only in 5 years old 5000 L French oak vats with 35% whole bunch followed by 30 days cuvaison. It has aged for 15 months in seasoned french oak vat. Naturally stabilized.
The Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz grapes used for the 2019 Encoberta come from a slightly warmer place, Penalva do Castelo, where the soils have a little more clay, and the wines tend to be rounder and more exuberant than the wines from Serra da Estrela. They have abundant notes of blueberries, currant and plum, with floral nuances and some spices. It has 13% alcohol and a medium-bodied palate with nice balance and good acidity.
Was $28
End of Bin Price $20
