Antonio Madeira - Dão - Vinhas Velhas - Red - 2017

Wine:

Olivier Poussier is captivated by the 2017 Dão Vinhas Velhas Red! From the very first glance, its deep, alluring hue sets the stage for a complex and expressive bouquet of black fruit, exotic spices, and a touch of cocoa. A bold character emerges, accentuated by notes of macerated Burlat cherry, adding depth and intrigue. On the palate, this wine is both powerful and refined, offering a rich, full-bodied texture with beautifully structured tannins. Its natural, vibrant acidity infuses it with energy and precision, creating a dynamic and beautifully balanced experience. With remarkable length and depth, this is a truly age-worthy wine, destined to evolve gracefully over time.

Vinification:

Hand harvested, 20 plots of old vines aged 50 to 100 years in the Serra da Estrela at an altitude of 500 metres, low-intervention and natural cultivation, no pesticides used on the vines, destemming, fermentation with indigenous yeasts in open vats, malolactic fermentation in neutral barrels, aged for 18 months in neutral French oak barrels of 400, 500 and 225 litres, then 3 months in stainless steel vats, unfined, unfiltered, low dose of sulphite at bottling (total of 29mg/l), production of 10,300 bottles.

Color:

Dark red, glossy.

Nose:

Aromas of black fruits and macerated Burlat cherries mixed with spicy notes and a hint of cocoa.

Palate:

Generous and full-bodied, this wine boasts a vibrant core of tannins with impressive depth. Concentrated yet lively on the palate, its remarkable length and complexity mark it as a true cellar-worthy masterpiece.

Temperature:

Serve between 16 and 18°C in a large glass.

Food and wine pairing:

Grilled pork, Portuguese-style grilled chicken, Teriyaki beef, feijoada, spiced pork filet mignon.

Cellar aging:

From now until 2030

António Madeira, a French winemaker of Portuguese descent, returned in 2010 to the land of his ancestors in the Serra da Estrela. Once renowned as one of the finest terroirs in the Dão region, this subzone was historically known for producing the Grands Crus of the Dão highlands.

At the foot of Portugal’s highest mountains, António has carefully selected parcels of old, co-planted vines that stand out for their distinctive grape varieties, exceptional granite soils, and ideal exposure. His philosophy is simple: respect the soil, the vine, and the fruit to allow the purest expression of the Serra da Estrela terroir.

To achieve this, he avoids pesticides and plows his vineyards with horses. This commitment extends to the cellar, where he relies on native yeasts and open-top fermentations. Rather than extracting heavily, his winemaking approach emphasizes gentle infusion, followed by 18 months of aging in barrels—producing wines of remarkable finesse and authenticity.