Antonio Madeira - Ainda Palhete 2022

(Dão, Portugal)

This is a fascinating blend featuring a huge number of varieties of grape, grown on the old vineyards of the Dao which historically were planted with a mixture of red and white varieties as per local tradition. This combination as well as Antonio’s atypical ‘infusion’ style winemaking creates a medium bodied red wine with really nice rounded tannins, a soft structure but with an added lightness and drinkability due to the integration of the white varieties.

Made by António Madeira, a rising star of Portuguese wine who in 2017 moved his family from Paris back to his grandparents' village in the Dão region of Portugal.  António believes this region to hold the 'Grand Cru' vineyards of Portugal, and searches tirelessly to rescue them, along with the dozens of traditional local grape varieties they hold within them.  His winemaking style is one which pays ultimate respect to the special characters of these old vineyards, revealing the beauty the vines extract from these lovingly regenerated soils.