2010 Herdade do Esporão, Touriga Nacional, Alentejo

This wine is from one of the oldest vineyards of Touriga Nacional in Alentejo – Badeco vineyard in Herdade do Esporão. David Baverstock has been the winemaker there for several years now, after falling in love with the country and subsequently marrying a Portuguese lady. The Touriga Nacional vineyard is more than 30 years old, produces wine through minimal intervention and all hand-picked. The soils are sandy and schistose allowing for a deep penetration of the roots in search for water in this otherwise dry land. The 2010 year was cooler than most years in the region, allowing for a lot of freshness in these wines, emphasising black berry aromas, alongside violet in a deep purple colour. Now with 12 years of age, this wine is drinking elegantly, it is earthy with notes of tobacco and leather.  Why do we like it? Touriga Nacional is a noble Portuguese grape variety. It produces intense, balanced wines with good ageing potential. Mostly known in the northern part of the country, but in this cooler spot of the Alentejo, it really shines! Expect lots of ripe black fruits, sweet spice and heady violet notes, delicious!   Grape           Touriga Nacional Country        Portugal                                Region          Alentejo                               Vintage         2010