Adega Regional de Colares - 2017 - Chão Rijo Tinto

The Colares Regional Winery, founded in 1931, is the oldest cooperative winery in Portugal. It currently comprises the majority of growers in the Demarcated Region of Colares, which is a very tiny region just west of Lisbon in the town of Sintra.

Their vines are grown in phylloxera-free sandy soils without rootstock grafting, located less than 1km (0,62 miles) from the Atlantic Coast at approximately 110m (360 feet). Of key importance is that they are completely free to crawl along the sand on horizontal cordons. In August, the grape clusters are propped with small cane sticks called pontões, and shielded by Atlantic winds with hand-made palisades of dried canes and wicker.

Colares Chão Rijo Tinto is made with the native Castelão (80%) and Tinta Roriz (20%) grapes that were harvested at the beginning of October. They were immediately destemmed (80%) and crushed, followed by fermentation in closed stainless steel tanks with temperature control (26-28ºC) and careful pumping over. Aged for one year in exotic wood (50%) and used oak (50%) barrels. Bottled in April 2021.