Quinta dos Carvalhais Dao Branco Especial NV

This 105-hectare property, situated at an altitude of 465-500 metres above sea level, has 50 hectares under vine. Warm days and cool nights at this altitude slow down the grape ripening process and result in wines with lovely depth yet vibrant fruit and a signature freshness. The vineyards are planted on poor granite soils with a predominance of indigenous Dão varieties including Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Encruzado. Microzoning studies have been carried out on the estate, identifying nine different soil types and a multitude of different microclimates, and each grape variety has been matched to its ideal plot. This precision viticulture provides Beatriz with a great diversity of blending options.

For each vintage the grapes were harvested by hand into small 20kg boxes and then loaded directly into the pneumatic press upon arrival at the winery. The fruit from the field blend plot underwent a pre-fermentation maceration on the skins for 24 hours before being racked off. Fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks for around 20 days at temperatures no higher than 16ºC. Following fermentation, the wines were then aged in used French oak barrels of various different sizes (225L, 300L and 500L) and remained in barrel until the final blend was assembled and left for a period of time to marry before being bottled

Quinta dos Carvalhais is a beautiful estate in the Terras de Senhorim sub-region of the Dão and is one of the region's most respected producers. Purchased in 1988 by the Guedes family, a huge amount of investment has gone into the estate, which combines the most up-to-date viticultural and winemaking techniques with age-old traditions, resulting in unique wines with great elegance and personality.

https://quintadoscarvalhais.com