Casa d'Arrochella 'Grandes Quintas' Vinha do Cerval 2019

Casa d'Arrochella 'Grandes Quintas' Vinha do Cerval 2019

Casa d'Arrochella ‘Grandes Quintas’ Vinha do Cerval 2019 is a red from old vines in the Upper Douro, produced at Quinta do Cerval, in Vila Nova de Foz Côa. The estate project began in 2001 and now covers more than 160hes, of which 50he are vineyards on schist slopes facing the Douro. It is one of the winery's top wines, a symbol of the Cerval terroir. 2019 was a relatively balanced year, with good ripening and cooler nights preserving acidity. The Vinha do Cerval, located between 125-250m above sea level, produced very concentrated grapes with excellent colour, structure and natural freshness.

Vinification: Grapes harvested by hand and transported in 20kg boxes. They are completely destemmed and fermented in stainless steel vats at 24–26ºC for 9 days. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, where it ages for 18 months.

Tasting notes: A red wine with a strong personality and sophisticated profile. The aroma reveals ripe black fruit, balsamic notes, hints of fresh earth and a touch of fine cocoa. On the palate, it is full-bodied but very balanced, with great freshness, several layers of flavour and firm but polished tannins, which linger in a dense, deep and very persistent finish. A Douro Superior for ageing, with the potential to evolve in the bottle for another 10–15 years.

Grape varieties: Selection of old vines: Touriga Franca, Sousão, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alicante Bouschet and Tinto Cão