Esporão Private Selection Red 2016

Esporão Private Selection Red 2016 • Garrafeira

Wine Concept

Esporão Private Selection Red was first launched in 1987 under the name “Garrafeira.” Initially produced from the best barrels of Esporão Reserva, today it results from a combination of select vineyards across Alentejo. A wine that expresses the diversity and richness of Esporão. In exceptional years, this blend gives rise to Torre do Esporão.

Harvest Year

Spring was cooler and wetter than the previous year. Lower temperatures extended the vegetative growth period, and despite hotter weather from July onwards, the harvest began 10 days later than usual. Warm conditions persisted throughout the vintage, producing excellent grape quality. Despite the heat, sugar levels remained normal, with slightly lower acidity.

Viticulture

Herdade do Esporão
Canto do Zé Cruz Vineyard (Aragonez) – Planted in 1980 at 200 m altitude. Sandy loam soil with granite bedrock transitioning to clay at 20 cm depth.
Rochedo Vineyard (Touriga Franca) – Planted in 2005 at 200 m altitude. Sandy clay loam texture with granite soils transitioning to schist.

Herdade dos Perdigões
Palmeiras Vineyard (Alicante Bouschet) – Planted in 1996 at 225 m altitude. Deep clay soils with good drainage.

Propriedade dos Lavradores
Machuguinho Vineyard (Alicante Bouschet) – Planted in 2005 at 400 m altitude. Granite soils with sandy texture.

Grape Varieties

Aragonez, Touriga Franca, Alicante Bouschet

Vinification

Each parcel was vinified and aged separately, according to the grape variety’s profile.

Aragonez: Fermented in marble lagares with foot treading, finished in concrete vats. Aged in 5000 L French oak barrels.
Touriga Franca: Fermented in marble lagares with foot treading. Malolactic fermentation and ageing in 500 L French oak barrels.
Alicante Bouschet: Fermented in concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation in 500 L French oak barrels, followed by 18 months ageing.

Maturation

18 months in French oak barrels (500 L and 5000 L), followed by 2 years in bottle.

Bottling

August 2018

Technical Information

Alcohol / Volume: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 6.64 g/l
pH: 3.58
Residual Sugar: 3 g/l

Available Formats

750 ml, 1500 ml

Winemakers’ Notes

David Baverstock / Sandra Alves

Colour

Deep, dark red.

Aroma

Complex, with notes of ripe black fruit, fresh cocoa, and black pepper.

Palate

Silky texture with a compact, firm tannic structure, ensuring persistence and intensity.

Awards & Reviews

Wine Enthusiast
94 pts | 2014, 2011
93 pts | 2012, 2007, 2005 (Cellar Selection)
92 pts | 2008 (Cellar Selection)

Wine Advocate / Robert Parker
92+ pts | 2014
92 pts | 2007, 2003

Wine Spectator
93 pts | 2013