Late Harvest 2018
Wine Concept
An elegant sweet wine, resulting from dehydration and the ensuing increase in the grapes’ sugar, which were left in a parcel of the vineyard at Herdade dos Perdigões for several weeks after reaching ideal ripeness.
Agriculture
After a dry and cold winter, an early rainy spring followed restoring soil moisture levels suitable for the beginning of the vegetative cycle. The fact that spring temperatures and even mid-summer temperatures were milder than in previous years led to a delay of the cycle but allowed for good plant development. In early August, a heatwave of five consecutive days, with temperatures exceeding 43 degrees and accompanied by strong gusts of wind, caused severe damage in varieties more sensitive to this type of conditions, leading to production losses. However, in most of our vineyards, where grape varieties are better adapted to these events, maturation occurred slowly and regularly thus preserving the freshness and aromatic intensity of white wines and the texture, concentration, and complexity of red wines.
Grape Varieties
SemillonVinification / Maturation
Post-harvest grape cooling, pressing, must decantation, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, centrifugation, stabilization, filtration.
Grapes from Herdade dos Perdigões, a property owned by Esporão in Reguengos de Monsaraz.
SOIL TYPE
Granite/schist base, with a loam/clay structure.
VINEYARD AGE
20 years.
More Information
An experimental wine resulting from the restlessness of Herdade do Esporão’s winemakers, Late Harvest defies the laws established for the hot and sunny region of the Alentejo.
It is produced using the method employed for the sweet wines of the Sauternes region, with overripe and dehydrated Semillon grapes from our vineyard. The resulting wine is highly concentrated, rich and complex.
Wine Makers
David Baverstock & Sandra Alves
Colour
Clear, golden color.
Aroma
Notes of dried figs and apricot rind wrapped in sweet spices such as cinnamon and cloves.
Palate
Creamy and intense texture with hints of honeycombs and roasted almonds. Balanced palate with a sizzling and persistent finish.