Esporão Private Selection 2016 Tinto

€ 69.51

Esporão Private Selection Red is an extension of Esporão Garrafeira Red, which was first launched in 1987. Initially, we simply chose the best barrels of Esporão Reserva; however, over time, we began to understand our vineyards better, naturally developing a selection of the finest plots at the Herdade. At the end of the 1990s, we built a winery exclusively for this wine, which became the focus of our attention. In 2001, Esporão Private Selection was produced, which was designed to challenge the classic profile of great wines from the Alentejo.

Its solid structure, personality and complexity are the result of climactic conditions, the selection of the finest grapes from our terroir and our winemakers’ creativity. These are exclusive wines, made in small quantities for intense and intimate moments.

Every year we invite an artist to illustrate its labels, thus combining the Portuguese culture of winemaking with art. Label photograph by António Poppe.

Food pairing

Excellent, powerful wine with red grilled or roasted meat

Grapes: Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Syrah

Spring was cooler and wetter than previous year. The lower temperatures led to a longer period of vegetative growth and, despite the hotter weather from July onwards, the harvest began 10 days later than usual. The warmer conditions continued throughout the vintage, grape quality was excellent, and, despite the heat, sugar levels remained normal, with slightly lower acidity.

Vinification is carried out according to the potential of each grape variety and origin. The Aragonez grapes began by fermenting in marble presses with foot treading, followed by ageing in concrete tanks, where malolactic fermentation took place, ending the vinification in 5000-litre casks. The Touriga Franca variety fermented in marble presses with foot treading and, after being pressed, aged for 18 months in 500-litre French oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation also took place.

Both batches of Alicante Bouschet fermented in concrete tanks, and malolactic fermentation occurred in 500-litre new French oak barrels, where they aged for another 18 months.

The wine’s identity is a true reflection of the diversity and richness of our different properties in Alentejo: Herdade do Esporão, Herdade dos Perdigões, also in Reguengos de Monsaraz, and now, for the first time, Lavradores, in Portalegre.

From Herdade do Esporão, our primary estate, we select the Touriga Franca variety from the Rochedo vineyard and Aragonez grapes from the Canto do Zé Cruz vineyard – vines planted in predominantly poor granite soils that transition to schist. These are the grapes that lend the structure and intensity that form the basis of this wine’s identity.

Approximately 5km from Herdade do Esporão, we find Herdade dos Perdigões. From the Palmeiras vineyard, which features deep clay soil, we obtain texture from the ripe fruit and even some jam aromas, typical of the Alicante Bouschet variety.

The Lavradores property is located in Portalegre, about 110km from Herdade do Esporão. This is where we find the Machuguinho vineyard, at an altitude of 400m, with an average temperature 2ºC lower and 290mm more rainfall than in Reguengos de Monsaraz. This vineyard is characterised by granite soil that is more aerated and has better water content. Here, the Alicante Bouschet variety predominates which, due to the land’s features, gives the wine longevity and vitality; the ideal complement to the grapes from Herdade do Esporão and Perdigões.

Alcoholcontent

14,5%

pH: 3.58

Store & Serve

Store and drink until at least 9 years after the harvest year

Serve at 16-18°C

Critics & Awards

94/100 - Wine Enthusiast Tasted Dec-2021

Big, rich and dense, this is a powerful wine. The concentration and solid, smoky fruits show most strongly. With its blend including Alicante Bouschet, the wine has firm tannins and a dark color. It is just mature, so drink now or wait until 2022. Roger Voss

Tags: Herdade do Esporao - Alentejo, Reguengos