Arribas Wine Company's Raiola 2019 Tinto is a captivating blend that celebrates the diversity and character of Trás-os-Montes' vineyards. The journey begins with grapes sourced from four distinct, century-old vineyards. These plots, nurtured with sustainable practices, contribute their unique fingerprint to the final wine.
The winemaking process for Raiola 2019 Tinto prioritizes minimal intervention. Harvested by hand, the red grapes undergo a traditional technique called whole-bunch foot treading in a stone lagar. This gentle process extracts color and flavor from the skins while preserving freshness. Following four days of maceration, where the grape skins mingle with the juice, the grapes are pressed.
The pressed juice is then transferred to a combination of used French and Austrian oak barrels, along with one new French oak barrel. Here, the magic of natural fermentation unfolds, with indigenous yeasts present on the grapes themselves initiating the process. This allows the inherent characteristics of the grapes to shine through.
After ten months of aging in the barrels, the story of Raiola 2019 Tinto takes another turn. Four additional barrels of pressed wine, originating from a field blend of red and white grapes similar to their Saroto Tinto, are blended with the initial base. This unique combination brings together the intensity and structure of the red grapes with the elegance and freshness of the field blend, resulting in a truly special expression of Arribas' philosophy.
Finally, the wine is bottled without fining or filtration, allowing any natural sediment to develop over time. This approach ensures that every sip of Raiola 2019 Tinto captures the essence of Trás-os-Montes terroir and the meticulous craftsmanship employed by Arribas Wine Company.
