Terrenus Reserva Vinhas Velhas Red Vinho Regional Alentejano – 2017

This is winemaker Rui Reguinga’s most important red – a field blend of ten local varietals from 90 year old vines grown on granite and schist soils at around 700mts altitude. The grapes were foot trodden, in typical Douro/Port style, then left on their skins for four weeks in cement lagares. The wine then matured for two years in 225 litre French oak barrels – one third new – and spent a further two years in bottle before release.

This wine has a deep garnet colour and mature aromas of spice, tobacco, and ripe red fruits. It is full bodied, round, smooth and mellow in the mouth, with firm underlying tannins in the background suggesting it will drink very well for at least 10 more years. Complex and structured with very rich, ripe red fruit flavours intermingled with mature, cigar-box spiciness. A classic Portuguese red for long-keeping. 14% alcohol.

Enjoy with strongly-flavoured game dishes or foods with spicy, mushroom sauces. 415 cases were produced. Drink now – 2035.

“Ein «field blend», ein Wein, der sich Zeit liess bis zu dieser abgeklärten, der tief verwurzelten Herkunft angemessenen Form: zwei Jahre in Barriques aus französischer Eiche, zwei weitere Jahr in der Flasche – heute eine reife schwarzbeerige, vollmundige, elegant signorile Erscheinung von gespannt frischer mineralischer Eleganz.”
Peter Rüedi, Weltwoche 7.März 2024