Quinta da Costa do Pinhão "Peladosa" Tinto, Douro Valley, Portugal 2021

FROM LA LUZ SELECTIONS:

THE WINE: This single vineyard “Peladosa” in a hidden nook plateau overlooking the region is a treasure trove of more than 20 ancient varieties, many of which are more than 80 years old. Here you will mostly find Tinta Roriz, Tinta da Canalha, Tinto da Barca and Alicante Bouschet. For this epic beauty, the minimal intervention approach allows the grapes to collectively speak for their unique selves. There is a 60% whole cluster fermentation in open cement tanks. The wine is then aged for 21 months in 500L French oak barrels a few years used. No pumps, gravity alone was utilized due to the special architecture of the winery.

Like a cloudy rare ruby, lawd, this wine is sexy. Got that whole cluster curvesand precise texture. The snappy personality and dried concentrated pomegranate, mineral finish make this wine insanely quaffable and food friendly. Incredible vision for the future freshness to be achieved in the region.

THE PRODUCER: Miguel Morais is the seventh generation of the grape growing Morais family, deep rooted in tradition and inspired by Nature. A mild mannered, humble and passionate man, he manages the estate’s biodiverse, organically farmed 24 hectares, 17 of which are planted with vineyards. After receiving degrees in Civil Engineering in Porto, Miguel returned to the vineyards in 2007 and fell heavily in love with his family’s estate, which is home to more than 25 native Portuguese ancient grape varieties – some of which are rarely heard of (or pronounced properly). In 2014 he refurbished the 19th century winery on the property, cleaned out the old cement lagars, purchased some big old barrels and got the old stone winery’s antique gravity winemaking flowing once again. It was then that he invited his winemaking friend, the famed Luis Seabra to help launch a new generational direction for the estate. Through their use of abundant natural resources, a transition to organic viticulture and a minimalistic approach to winemaking, the future is bright for this dynamic Douro Valley estate.