Herdade do Esporão, Vinha das Palmeiras AB Alicante Bouschet 2013, Alentejo, Portugal

Tasting Note: An Alicante Bouschet that abounds in rich black fruit flavors with delicate hints of florality running through it.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has a medium-plus-intensity, aromatic nose of black plum, raspberry puree, black cherry, violet bud, strawberry and bramble.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied Alicante Bouschet delivers concentrated black fruit flavors that ride along a layer of medium acidity and velvety, ripe, medium-plus tannin.

There is inky, midpalate concentration and depth of flavor that proves Alicante Bouschet is no push over grape.

Pairs well with snowy weather, grilled meats and parboiled, and then baked baby-Yukon potatoes as I am enjoying this evening.

See 2012 vintage review.

Bottle Note: Climate: Mediterranean-Continental. The 2013 winter had higher temperatures than the average of the last 20 years. The spring was rainy and the summer very hot and dry. Soils: Granite based clay-loam soils, with good depth and water holding capacity. Vineyard: Vineyard parcel, “Vinha das Palmeiras,” in “Herdade dos Perdigões.” Planted in 1996. Viticulture: 16 years old vineyard in an integrated production regime, bilateral cordon training system. Handpicked. Varieties: Alicante Bouschet. Vinification: Harvested on 9/3/2013. Vinified in small stainless-steel tanks. Matured in 5,000-liter French oak vats for 12 months. From the oldest vineyard of this variety planted by Esporão, this wine is the expression of this place, the Alicante Bouschet grape varietal and the commitment of the people who have done it.

This wine was submitted for review.