Esporão Private Selection Red 2016
2019 2016 2014 2013 2012 2011 2009 2008 2007
Wine Concept
Esporão Private Selection red was launched for the first time in 1987, under the name “Garrafeira”. Initially produced from the best barrels of Esporão Reserva, today this wine results from a combination of select fields in the territories where we are present, in Alentejo. A wine that expresses the diversity and richness of Esporão. In exceptional years, this combination originates Torre do Esporão.
Awards
Wine Enthusiast
94 pts | 2016 | 2014 | 2011
93 pts | Cellar Selection | 2012 | 2007 | 2005
92 pts | Cellar Selection 2008
Wine Advocate / Robert Parker
92 pts+ | 2014
92 pts | 2007 | 2003
91 pts | 2008
90 pts | 2009 | 2004
Agriculture
Spring was cooler and wetter than previous year. The lower temperatures led to a longer period of vegetative growth and, despite the hotter weather from July onwards, the harvest began 10 days later than usual. The warmer conditions continued throughout the vintage, grape quality was excellent, and, despite the heat, sugar levels remained normal, with slightly lower acidity.
SOILS
Canto de Zé Cruz vineyard (Aragonez) – Sandy loam soil with some bedrock stones (granite), which, after 20 cm, suddenly changes to clay.
Rochedo vineyard (Touriga Franca) – Sandy Clay Loam texture, granite soils that transition to schist.
Palmeiras vineyard (Alicante Bouschet) – Deep clay soils with good drainage.
Machuguinho vineyard (Alicante Bouchet) – Vineyard is located at an altitude of 400m, with granite soils and sandy texture.
Grape Varieties
Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Touriga FrancaVinification / Maturation
Each parcel was vinified and aged separately, according to each grape variety’s potential and profile.
Aragonez initiated the fermentation in marble lagares with foot treading and finish it in concrete vats. Ageing in 5000 liters French oak barrels.
Touriga Nacional, fermented in marble lagares with foot treading. Ageing in 500 liters French oak barrels, where the malolactic fermentation occurred.
Both parcels of Alicante Bouschet initiated fermentation separately in concrete vats. Then the malolactic fermentation occurred in 500 liters French oak barrels, followed by 18 months ageing.
18 months in French oak barrels (500 and 5000 liters), followed by two years in bottle.
More Information
Private Selection Red:
Over time, we have been expanding the knowledge about our land in Alentejo. We have a better understanding of its potential and make the most of the uniqueness of the vineyards to produce fine wines, at nature’s pace.
That knowledge takes shape in Private Selection, through a combination of select parcels from the different territories, along with separate vinification and ageing, according to each variety’s profile. This is a full-bodied wine, with texture, intensity, and vitality, that reflects the diversity and richness of Esporão’s territories in Alentejo and, in exceptional years, results in Torre do Esporão.
Private Selection White:
Esporão Private Selection white was launched in 2001 under the name “Garrafeira”. The desire to make a distinctive white wine that would challenge the classic profile of the great wines of the Alentejo, led winemaker David Baverstock to bring the Sémillon grape variety from Australia to our Herdade dos Perdigões estate. This French origin grape variety is iconic in the Barrosa Valley region of Australia, where it grows in a climate similar to that of the Alentejo.
Planted in granitic soils, clayey and deep, the Palmeiras vineyard has adapted well to our soils and the Alentejo heat. It is from this vineyard that the Private Selection White was born.
Every year we invite a new artist to illustrate our labels, and every piece of artwork has its own individual story to tell.
Wine Makers
David Baverstock & Sandra Alves
Colour
Deep and dark.
Aroma
Complex aroma of mature black fruit, hints of fresh cocoa and Pepper.
Palate
A silky texture but equally compact, firm tannic structure to ensure persistence and intensity.