Quinta de Chocapalha Vinha Mae IGT Lisboa – 2012

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 and Foz Torto 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 wine is made from a blend of 60% Touriga Nacional (from a 37 year old plot of vines), 20% Tinta Roriz and 20% Syrah. The grapes were very gently pressed in Douro-style lagares then fermented and matured for 20 months in French barriques. . 14% alcohol. The wine is deep, dark and delicious, with lovely floral aromas and rich, spicy blackberry fruit flavours, firm but smooth tannins and uniquely Portuguese personality.