Antonio Madeira - Os Granitos 2019

(Dão, Portugal)

Each year, Antonio selects his finest barrels for bottling as single-vineyard selections.  Due to the small size and tiny yields of all of the special plots he farms, these releases are extremely limited and utterly unique expressions of place and time.  'Os Granitos' (or 'The Granites') is named for the five distinct types of granite that give this parcel it's unique character.  Composed mainly of Jaen, Tinta Amarela, Baga, and Alicante Bouschet (with over 15 other local varieties included), this is a lifted, ethereal wine which combines mentholated, delicate aromas with a supremely silky, pure-fruited palate deeply layered with sweet spice and and energising acidity.  Truly one-of-a-kind. 

Made by Antonio 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.  Antonio 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.