Quinta Da Chocapalha is situated in the sunny,vineyard-covered hills of Alenquer, 45kms northeast of Lisbon. It is owned by the half-Swiss Tavares Da Silva family, and the wines are made by highly respected Sandra Tavares Da Silva (who also makes Pintas in the Douro Valley).
The 100% family-owned 45 hectares of vines are constantly refreshed by cooling winds from the Atlantic Ocean 30kms to the west, which helps to give all the wines their underlying freshness and acidity. Cool, often foggy mornings and evenings make the growing climate here considerably cooler than the Douro Valley further north.
This fantastic value wine is made from a field-blend of 50% Touriga Nacional, 20% Tinta Roriz, 10% Castelao, 10% Touriga Franca and 10% Alicante Bouschet. The grapes were very gently pressed in Douro-style lagares then fermented and matured for 18 months in used French barriques. The wine has delicious aromas of blackberries, raspberries and strawberries, silky smooth tannins, good freshness and structure and a medium length.
