Wine Concept

This wine was created in 2001 to challenge the classic profile of great Alentejo wines. Over the years the Semillon variety has been adapting with great success to the unique place where it was planted. The maturity of the vineyard, combined with its sun exposure and type of soil, has been giving grapes with an enormous potential that make this wine unique. Label by Jorge Queiroz.

Awards

Wine Enthusiast

95 pts | 2018

93 pts | 2019

92 pts | 2017 | 2009

91 pts | 2015 | 2014 | 2008

Agriculture

The agricultural year of 2020 registered temperatures slightly higher than the last 21 years, while the precipitation values were identical to the values registered in the same period. With a mild and rainy winter and spring, there was a good restoration of the water reserves in the vineyard, which resulted in a good vegetative growth in relation to 2019. The summer was very hot and dry, with very high temperatures in the month of July that translated in anticipation of the harvest in about 2 weeks compared to the previous year. The climatic conditions recorded in the painter-maturation period favored gradual maturation, which allowed for a selective harvest favoring the expression and quality of each variety.

Vineyard with organic farming certification.

Grapes from the Palmeiras vineyard at Herdade dos Perdigões, one of Esporão’s properties. Northeast 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 and to enhance the terroir characteristics.

VINEYARD AGE

24 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 body and complexity of the wine. Fermentation took place in French oak barrels (550 liters) in a temperature-controlled cellar (18ºC).

Six months on the lees with periodic 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 & Sandra Alves

Colour

Straw color with green hues.

Aroma

Apricot and ripe lemon, with notes of white pepper and some fresh almond.

Palate

Rich and exuberant, highlighted by white fruit and a nuance of nutmeg. Long and elegant finish.

Sizes

750 ml

Bottling

June 2021

Alcohol/Volume

14 %

Total Acidity

6.56 g/l

pH

3.2

Reducing Sugar / Baumé

2.4 g/l