Esporão Touriga Nacional

Tinto 2017 • DOC Alentejo

Touriga Nacional is a noble Portuguese grape variety. It produces intense, balanced wines with good ageing potential. This wine comes from one of the oldest Touriga Nacional vineyards in Alentejo — the Badeco vineyard at Herdade do Esporão. It represents the singularity of the grape variety and the characteristics of this single vineyard, combined with the experience of those who tend the vines and craft the wine.

Harvest Year

Autumn and winter were colder and rainier than the previous year, with the highest rainfall and lowest temperatures occurring between November and February. Still, both temperature and precipitation were within the 18-year average. Spring temperatures exceeded those of 2016, accelerating the growth stages. A hot, dry spring ensured healthy fruit growth. Summer temperatures began warmer than 2016 (+2.0°C) and hastened ripening. Lower August and September temperatures further accelerated maturation and increased sugar levels, resulting in full-bodied white wines with ripe fruit notes and rich, concentrated reds.

Viticulture

Vineyard: Badeco Vineyard, 1.03 ha parcel at Herdade do Esporão
Training System: Double Guyot, vertical shoot positioning
Soil Type: Poor, brown schist-derived soils, sandy to silty-loam texture

Grape Varieties

Touriga Nacional

Vinification

Hand-picked (12 September 2017). Fermented in marble lagares with foot treading, followed by fermentation completion in concrete tanks at controlled temperatures.

Ageing

12 months in new French oak barrels, followed by a minimum of 2 years in bottle.

Bottled

24 July 2019

Technical Information

Alcohol / Volume: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 6.65 g/l
pH: 3.57
Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/l

Available Formats

750 ml

Winemakers’ Notes

David Baverstock / Sandra Alves

Colour

Deep, intense garnet

Aroma

Notes of tobacco and liquorice with hints of black plum and raisin

Palate

Rich and opulent, with notes of spice and smoke. Balanced, smooth tannins, elegant and deep.

Awards & Reviews

Wine Enthusiast
94 pts | Cellar Selection 2008
93 pts | Cellar Selection 2011
90 pts | 2015