2021 Herdade do Esporão, Tinto - Alentejo Reserva - 6 Garrafas (0,75 L)

PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s).

2021 Esporão Reserva Red 6 x 0.75L

DESCRIPTION
Part of the Alentejo’s montado ecosystem (cork oak forests), in Portugal, Herdade do Esporão has extraordinary conditions for agriculture – large thermal amplitudes, poor and various soils and extraordinary biodiversity that helps us produce in balance with the environment. With 691,9 hectars of vineyards, olive groves and the other crops we grow using organic methods. Here are planted around 40 grape varieties, 4 types of olives, orchards and kitchen gardens.
Little more than 170 kilometres southeast of Lisbon, near the historical city of Reguengos de Monsaraz, we find a landscape typical of the Baixo Alentejo region. It is here, amongst rolling plains, shallow valleys, occasional streams, corn fields, vineyards and olive groves, we find Herdade do Esporão.
Hill-top farms and small, whitewashed villages guard the memory of life that goes back to the Prehistoric times of tapirs and dolmens, then Iberians, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims and the many others who once settled here.
The Medieval history of the region began with the Reconquista of Monsaraz and Reguengos in 1232. Since then, wine and olive oil have become an indelible aspect of the region. The geographical boundaries of Herdade do Esporão (originally Defesa do Esporão) were only established in 1267, and have been practically unchanged since then, despite being the setting for bloody battles and heroic deeds over almost nine centuries.
Soeiro Rodrigues, the judge of the city of Évora, was the first of many owners, who included Santiago Rodrigues de Vasconcelos, the Morgado D. Álvaro Mendes de Vasconcelos (who built the Esporão Tower) and the counts of Alcáçovas, who retained the property until 1973, the year it was acquired by José Roquette and Joaquim Bandeira.
In 1985, the first vintage saw the creation of the Esporão brand and the first wine produced by what was then Finagra, S.A.. In 1989, wine began being exported to what is now over 50 international markets.
Eight years later, Esporão entered the olive oil business with the acquisition of SPAZA (Sociedade Produtora de Azeites do Alentejo) – now Esporão Azeites.

WINEMAKERS: Sandra Alves & João Ramos.

AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
17 Points, Vinho Grandes Escolhas
93 Points, Best Buy, Revista Adega (2020 Vintage)
Winner, The Wine Merchant Top 100 (2020 Vintage)
89 Points, Vinum Magazine (2019 Vintage)
Gold Medal, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (2019 Vintage)
Gold Medal, Mundus Vini (2018 Vintage)
90 Points, Decanter World Wine Awards (2017 Vintage)
17 Points, Jancis Robinson (2017 Vintage)
91 Points, Robert Parker (2016 Vintage)
90 Points, Meininger (2016 Vintage)
Gold Medal, Sakura Awards (2016 Vintage)
92 Points, Falstaff (2015 Vintage)
90 Points, Wine Spectator (2014 Vintage)
Gold Medal, International Wine Challenge (2014 Vintage)

WINE VARIETIES: Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Trincadeira & Cabernet Sauvignon.

VINIFICATION
Each variety was vinified separately, destemmed, crushed, temperature controlled alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats, concrete tanks and small marble lagares, pressed, followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Aged 12 months in new (20%) and old (80%) American and French oak barrels. After bottling, the wine aged at least 6 months in the bottle.

TASTING NOTES
Intense ruby colour. Wildberries with hues of blackberries and ripe plum, complemented with spicy notes of cinnamon and liquorice. Rich and elegant, with notes of wild berries and sweet spices notes. Harmonious and fresh with a persistent and balanced finish.

SERVING
Ready for immediate consumption, although the wine has the potential to continue developing favourably in the bottle. It goes well with red and white meats and cheeses. Store in a horizontal position, in a cool and dry place, protected from light and temperature fluctuations. Serve at a temperature between 16ºC and 18ºC. Consume in moderation.