This 2021 harvest, of pale yellow color, is very delicate, elegant, mineral and floral; In the mouth these impressions are complemented with notes of yellow fruit, such as peach and pineapple, combined with subtle sensations of roasted wood, presenting a firm, very fresh, mineral, long and complex finish. It has positive aging ability in bottle, gaining complexity over time, highlighting notes of nuts.
Wine produced with the two main Portuguese white varieties from Península de Setúbal, Fernão Pires and Arinto, and the world’s most famous white grape variety, Chardonnay, from north-facing vineyards planted in claylimestone soils on the Azeitão slopes. In 2021, the year was hot and dry, resulting in a regular grape ripening. Fernão Pires, a very early breed, was harvested in the last days of August and soon followed by Chardonnay. The Arinto, later variety, had its optimum maturation already in September in the 2nd fortnight. Both the Fernão Pires and the Arinto must were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks; Part of the Chardonnay was fermented in new French oak barrels, having aged in the same barrels 4 months with “batonnage”. The final lot was made in February 2022 and was then bottled.
