Wine Concept

This wine was created in 2001 to challenge the classic profile of great Alentejo wine. The maturity of the vineyard, the unusual Semillon grape variety in combination with the type of soil, harvest year and the philosophy of the winemakers that respect the origin and the grapes, make this wine unique identity to be enhanced year after year, in a solid, rich and complex way. 

Photography on the label by Anne Geene.

Awards

95 pts Wine Enthusiast TOP 100 – Vintage 2018

92 pts Wine Enthusiast – Vintage 2017 and 2009

91 pts Wine Enthusiast – Vintage 2015, 2014 and 2008

Agriculture

The 2019 agricultural year recorded temperatures corresponding to the average for the last 20 years, while the recorded rainfall values were below the average values for the same period. In the spring and up until the beginning of the summer, temperatures were higher than in 2018, which led to a considerable advance in the phenology of the vine, translating into the anticipation of the harvest in about 2 weeks, compared to 2018. The summer registered lower temperatures in the veraison phase, promoting a constant and homogeneous ripening process, ideal conditions for raw material of excellent quality.

Vineyard with organic farming certification.

Grapes from the Palmeiras vineyard at Herdade dos Perdigões, one of Esporão’s properties. Northwest and southwest exposure, protecting the grapes during the hottest times of day.

SOIL TYPE

Predominantly clay, deep and well drained, ideal for balanced production, aromatic development and to preserve freshness.

VINEYARD AGE

23 years.

Grape Varieties

Semillon

Vinification / Maturation

The grapes were delivered to the winery in the morning, when temperatures are at their lowest, and were placed in the pneumatic press. Long pressing cycles at low pressure enabled careful extraction for a rich must. Decanting was shorter than usual, which helped maintain the complexity of the medium. Fermentation took place in new French oak barrels (550 liters) in a temperature-controlled cellar (18ºC).

Six months on the lees with batonnage to provide better oak integration in the wine, thereby reinforcing the creamy texture and depth. After bottling, the wine aged 6 months in the bottle, ensuring controlled maturation and giving the wine the complexity that characterizes it.

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 and Sandra Alves

Colour

Straw color with green hues

Aroma

Apricot and lemon peel confit, mixed with notes of cloves, nutmeg and some white chocolate.

Palate

Wide and rich, with predominant stone fruit punctuated with notes of white pepper. Unctuous, with a long and elegant finish.

Sizes

750 ml

Bottling

July 2020

Alcohol/Volume

14.0 %

Total Acidity

6.08 g/l

pH

3.16

Reducing Sugar / Baumé

1.3 g/l