$170.00
Alves de Souza is one of my favourite producers in Portugal. On its fourth generation, they have a long tradition of winemaking in the Douro. Domingos Alves de Sousa was a Civil Engineer and practiced it for a while. But from 1987 he decided to start working entirely at the wine estate and explore the “Quintas” (estates), he received from his family inheritance and to other properties later acquired, where he executed a precise work of gathering and reorganization of the vines.
For a few years he supplied famous and prestigious Port houses like Ferreira and Borges. But issues affecting the 80’s led him to rethink what they were doing and therefore a changing point in the house. Quite basically instead of thinking as Port as a priority, they started thinking as table wine as a priority which saw a massive increase of quality.
Why do we like it?
Wines have become of extreme high quality and truly amongst the best in the region. I can’t tell you enough how good this wine is, from a vineyard with 80 years of age, called ‘abandonado’ or abandoned… because it was literally left behind untouched. It is situated on a slope with intense sun exposure and great pieces of harsh shale. The wine is intense with a Bordeaux like taste from a ripe year, earthy tobacco notes, smoked dark fruit and a long, very long finish. Wine is ready to drink but it certainly has potential for further ageing.
Grape Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Sousão
Country Portugal
Region Douro
Vintage 2009
