A compelling expression of the rugged terroir of Portugal's Trás-os-Montes region, a wine that marries traditional winemaking practices with a modern sensibility. This old-vine field blend, a testament to the region's viticultural heritage, is crafted with a meticulous approach that prioritizes the preservation of the grapes' inherent character and expresses the vineyard's unique identity. The vines, rooted in the region's schist soils, are a diverse collection of indigenous varieties, each contributing its own distinct nuances to the final blend. This diversity, a hallmark of old-vine vineyards, adds complexity and depth that are difficult to replicate in modern plantings.
The winemaking process for Saroto Tinto is a deliberate homage to tradition, beginning with a five-day foot treading in lagares. This ancient technique, while labor-intensive, gently extracts color, tannins, and flavor from the grapes, creating a wine with a robust structure and a vibrant fruit profile. The fermentation is conducted at a colder temperature, a crucial step in preserving the wine's delicate aromatics and freshness. This controlled fermentation allows for a slow and steady evolution of the wine, preventing the loss of volatile compounds and ensuring a harmonious balance of flavors. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for eight months in neutral French oak barrels. This aging period is carefully calibrated to add subtle complexity and texture without imparting overt oak flavors, allowing the wine's inherent fruit, floral, and mineral notes to take center stage. Using neutral oak ensures the wine's varietal character is not obscured by oak-derived tannins or vanilla notes.
The resulting Saroto Tinto is a wine of remarkable vibrancy and elegance. It showcases an exceptional purity of fruit, with notes of ripe red berries, such as cherry and raspberry, intertwined with delicate floral aromas, reminiscent of violets and wild herbs. The wine's freshness is a defining characteristic, a testament to the cooler fermentation and the region's unique microclimate. This freshness is further enhanced by the wine's bright acidity, which provides a lively and refreshing structure. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine-grained tannins that contribute to the wine's supple texture and elegant mouthfeel. The finish is long and persistent, with lingering notes of red fruit, earthy minerals, and a subtle hint of spice. This wine is a testament to the potential of the Trás-os-Montes region, a region that is increasingly gaining recognition for its exceptional wines. Saroto Tinto is a wine embodying the region's rugged beauty and commitment to producing wines of character and distinction.
