Esporão Private Selection White

The 2022 agricultural year was a dry year. During the vegetative rest period (autumn-winter) and spring, there were mild temperatures and low precipitation values. In the vineyard, budbreak was early, as in the previous year, and moderate temperatures anticipated vegetative development. The very high temperatures and the lack of water in the summer contributed to distant maturation between the varieties, resulting in a precision harvest with a special focus on the expression of each variety.

Vineyard with organic farming certification.

Grapes from the Palmeiras vineyard at Herdade dos Perdigões, one of Esporão’s properties. Northeast exposure, protecting the grapes during the hottest times of day.

The grapes were delivered to the winery in the morning, when temperatures are at their lowest, and were placed in the pneumatic press. Long pressing cycles at low pressure enabled careful extraction for a rich must. Decanting was shorter than usual, which helped maintain the body and complexity of the wine. Fermentation took place in French oak barrels (550 liters) in a temperature-controlled cellar (18ºC).

Six months on the lees with periodic batonnage to provide better oak integration in the wine, thereby  reinforcing the creamy texture and depth. After bottling, the wine aged 6 months in the bottle to enhance the complexity that characterizes this wine.

Semillon

Private Selection Red:

Over time, we have been expanding the knowledge about our land in Alentejo. We have a better understanding of its potential and make the most of the uniqueness of the vineyards to produce fine wines, at nature’s pace.

That knowledge takes shape in Private Selection, through a combination of select parcels from the different territories, along with separate vinification and ageing, according to each variety’s profile. This is a full-bodied wine, with texture, intensity, and vitality, that reflects the diversity and richness of Esporão’s territories in Alentejo and, in exceptional years, results in Torre do Esporão.

Private Selection White:

Esporão Private Selection white was launched in 2001 under the name “Garrafeira”. The desire to make a distinctive white wine that would challenge the classic profile of the great wines of the Alentejo, led winemaker David Baverstock to bring the Sémillon grape variety from Australia to our Herdade dos Perdigões estate. This French origin grape variety is iconic in the Barrosa Valley region of Australia, where it grows in a climate similar to that of the Alentejo.

Planted in granitic soils, clayey and deep, the Palmeiras vineyard has adapted well to our soils and the Alentejo heat. It is from this vineyard that the Private Selection White was born.

Every year we invite a new artist to illustrate our labels, and every piece of artwork has its own individual story to tell.

Wine Makers

Sandra Alves / Teresa Gaspar

Colour

Crystal-clear appearance, straw color with golden hues.

Aroma

Notes of apricot with nuances of ripe lemon, white pepper, and fresh almond.

Palate

Rich and intense, with white pulp fruit and spices. Long, elegant, and complex finish.

Sizes

750 ml

Bottling

8 August 2023

Alcohol/Volume

13.5 %

Total Acidity

5.85 g/l

pH

3.14

Reducing Sugar

2.3 g/l

95 pts TOP 100  | 2018

93 pts | 2020 | 2019

92 pts | 2017 | 2009

91 pts | 2021 | 2015 | 2014 | 2008