Following five years of ageing in the Herdade do Esporão cellars, the new Esporão Private Selection 2016 vintage is ready, with a label by António Poppe.
Esporão Private Selection Red was first launched in 1987. Still under the name “Garrafeira”, it became a symbol of excellence and quality, and a reflection of Alentejo.
This is an exclusive wine crafted from the sum of many small details, with extreme care. Throughout various decades, we developed its profile in a steady and consistent way. Today, Private Selection is an Alentejo wine that is recognised both in Portugal and abroad. A classic that, in the most extraordinary vintages, gives us Torre do Esporão.
THREE ORIGINS
The wine’s identity is a true reflection of the diversity and richness of our different properties in Alentejo: Herdade do Esporão, Herdade dos Perdigões, also in Reguengos de Monsaraz, and now, for the first time, Lavradores, in Portalegre.
From Herdade do Esporão, our primary estate, we select the Touriga Franca variety from the Rochedo vineyard and Aragonez grapes from the Canto do Zé Cruz vineyard – vines planted in predominantly poor granite soils that transition to schist. These are the grapes that lend the structure and intensity that form the basis of this wine’s identity.
Approximately 5km from Herdade do Esporão, we find Herdade dos Perdigões. From the Palmeiras vineyard, which features deep clay soil, we obtain texture from the ripe fruit and even some jam aromas, typical of the Alicante Bouschet variety.
The Lavradores property is located in Portalegre, about 110km from Herdade do Esporão. This is where we find the Machuguinho vineyard, at an altitude of 400m, with an average temperature 2ºC lower and 290mm more rainfall than in Reguengos de Monsaraz. This vineyard is characterised by granite soil that is more aerated and has better water content. Here, the Alicante Bouschet variety predominates which, due to the land’s features, gives the wine longevity and vitality; the ideal complement to the grapes from Herdade do Esporão and Perdigões.
Vinification is carried out according to the potential of each grape variety and origin. The Aragonez grapes began by fermenting in marble presses with foot treading, followed by ageing in concrete tanks, where malolactic fermentation took place, ending the vinification in 5000-litre casks.
The Touriga Franca variety fermented in marble presses with foot treading and, after being pressed, aged for 18 months in 500-litre French oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation also took place.
Both batches of Alicante Bouschet fermented in concrete tanks, and malolactic fermentation occurred in 500-litre new French oak barrels, where they aged for another 18 months.
These factors, along with the characteristics of the vintage, result in a full-bodied wine with texture, intensity and vitality. A wine that expresses the diversity and richness of Esporão’s territories.
