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António Madeira - 2020 - Os Granitos Tinto

Sale price€72,00

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A profound single-vineyard expression that epitomizes the "Grand Cru" potential of the high-altitude Dão region, named for its decomposed granite soil.

This wine is sourced from a tiny, complex parcel of over 100-year-old vines in the Serra da Estrela foothills, where the soil is a mosaic of different granite types. This site's unique geological composition is the key to the wine's identity. The vineyard is a true field blend (mistura de castas), featuring over 20 indigenous red varieties, with Jaen (Mencía), Baga, and Tinta Amarela typically forming the core. The viticulture is biodynamic and entirely manual, ensuring pristine fruit quality. António Madeira employs a gentle, low-extraction philosophy in the cellar, favoring infusion over force. The grapes are 100% destemmed and undergo a short, pre-fermentation cold soak before a spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wine's élevage is intentionally discreet, lasting approximately 18 months (two winters) in large-format, used French oak barrels (400L-600L), with absolutely no new oak, preserving the purity of the fruit and the mineral definition of the site. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered, reflecting a commitment to minimal intervention.

The resulting wine showcases a compelling balance of concentration and freshness. It pours a clear ruby hue, and the nose is intensely pure and complex, immediately delivering a granite signature enveloped by crushed wild red berries, raspberry, and subtle blood orange notes. Savory nuances of aromatic herbs, dried flowers, and a hint of pine forest underscore the fruit, offering a compelling mountain freshness. The palate is where the wine truly asserts its Grand Cru status, being deep, tense, and refined. It delivers juicy red fruit framed by a striking minerality and a savory, almost saline persistence. The tannins are fine-grained and silky, building a precise structure invigorated by the Dão's signature, well-calibrated acidity. The finish is remarkably long, detailed, and vividly mineral-driven, inviting cellaring while offering immense pleasure in its youth with proper decanting.

António Madeira - 2020 - Os Granitos Tinto
António Madeira - 2020 - Os Granitos Tinto Sale price€72,00

Learn more about

António Madeira

António Madeira began his winemaking journey with absolutely nothing - no vineyard, no winery, not even a small piece of land to call his own. However, what he did possess was an immense sense of pride that comes with being born in one place but feeling a strong sense of belonging to another. Parisian-born lad with Portuguese roots in the Dão region, António always felt a deep connection to his heritage. In his younger days, he'd visit the family land without giving the wine or grape harvest a second thought. 

António formed a wine tasting club with his colleagues and started to learn more and more about the liquid gold. In 2010, he started making wine in the region, and by 2016, he'd permanently moved back to the Dão to take care of the old vines that local farmers had abandoned. 

António Madeira's vineyards are like a treasure trove, hidden away in the easternmost part of the Dão region. With a continental climate and granite soil, it's no wonder that he believes the Dão has the potential to produce wines that age like fine art. But it's not just a matter of climate and soil, it's also António's passion for winemaking that makes his wines so special. 

He takes pride in his "living museum" of old vines, some of which are over a century old. While other producers are giving up on their vineyards, António is nurturing them with care and attention, ensuring that they continue to produce grapes of the highest quality. And it's not just about the age of the vines, it's also about the variety. António has over 40 different varieties in his vineyards, including the esteemed Baga grape, which is a testament to the rich diversity of the region. 

What sets António's wines apart is their ability to age gracefully. The cool nights in the Dão region allow for slow maturation of the grapes, which results in wines with natural acidity that can be preserved for years to come. And it's not just António who believes in the aging potential of Dão wines. The classics of the region, such as the Centro de Estudos de Nelas from the 1970s, are a testament to the fact that these wines only get better with time. 

So the next time you see the word "DÃO" inscribed in bold letters on a bottle of wine, know that you're about to experience something truly special, crafted with care and passion by António Madeira in the heart of the Dão region.