Soil and Vineyard Characteristics
Dry-farmed clay/limestone soils with a high percentage of limestone are the key at Quinta de Colinas. Vineyard planting density is 5,500 plants per hectare. Here, Cabernet Sauvignon behaves like in Bordeaux’s left bank. Firm, structured, with cassis aromas, but less pyrazines. Touriga Nacional is less floral than in the Douro, however, it remains extremely sturdy and with lots of colour.
Winemaking Process
Grapes are sorted at the winery upon entry, then de-stemmed and placed in temperature-controlled stainless vats with periodical rack and return (délestage). After fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in 225l French oak barriques, partly new. Maturation in oak can last up to 24 months. The wine is then fined and filtered for bottling and released to the market up to 8 years later.
