2021 ALVES DE SOUSA Abandonado Red 1 x 0.75L Douro Region WINEMAKERS: Tiago Alves de Sousa. AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS 95 Points, Revista Adega (2019 Vintage) 94 Points, Falstaff (2019 Vintage) 19.5 Points, Revista Paixão Pelo Vinho (2019 Vintage) 18.5 Points, Vinho Grandes Escolhas (2019 Vintage) 17.5 Points, Vinum Magazine (2019 Vintage) 94 Points, Hudin.com (2017 Vintage) 92 Points, Wine & Spirits Magazine (2015 Vintage) 94 Points, Wine Enthusiast (2013 Vintage) WINE VARIETIES: Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Sousão, Touriga Nacional and others (25 indigenous grapes field-blend). VINIFICATION A vineyard over 80 years old, with several lacks due to a partial abandonment for some years. Situated on a slope with intense sun exposure and great pieces of shale on the surface. The people of the estate always knew it as the “Vine of the Abandoned one”(pt. Vinha do Abandonado).For years we’ve tried to recover the vineyard and to replant the deceased grape vines. But we were forced to give up. Even with all our care only the original and most resistant ones were able to subsist in such extreme conditions. In2004, we’ve decided to isolate it in our winery for the first time. It showed immediately a unique personality and character. We’ve decided to bottle it as our very personal homage to the also unique old vines of the Douro. Total destemming - 9 days fermentation at 20-22ºC + 12 days maceration. Ageing for 24 months in new and 2nd year French and Portuguese oak. TASTING NOTES Deep ruby colour. Great aromatic depth, full of character, with hints of eucalyptus leaves, wild berries, liquorice, dry leaves and dark chocolat. Refined, with intensity but also delicacy, minerality and an extraordinary purity of fruit. SERVING It goes well with roasted meats, game meats and cheeses. Serve at a temperature of 17ºC. HISTORY The production of wines is a family tradition for Domingos Alves de Sousa: his father (Edmundo Alves de Sousa) and grandfather (Domingos Alves de Sousa) had already been winegrowers in the Douro. Contrarily to what it would be expected, Domingos Alves de Sousa held another career at the beginning of his professional activity. But after having his degree in Civil Engineering, he couldn’t resist any longer to the double appeal (of the land and the blood), and abandoned its activity in 1987 to dedicate himself in exclusive to the exploration of the “Quintas” (estates) he received from his family inheritance and to other properties later acquired, where he executed a precise work of gathering and reorganization of the vines. For many years he supplied some of the most famous and prestigious Port companies like Ferreira and Borges Wines. But the problems that affected the sector in the end of the eighties lead the family to question the models followed until that day. And this was the changing point. Domingos Alves de Sousa turned himself to the valuation of the "leftovers" of the Port Wine (as it was considered back in those days), meaning, the Douro wines, until then traditionally forgotten in relation to the “generous wine” (Port). But this radical change of attitude demanded not only simple good will and desire to be successful. It demanded also technical and professional formation. So he studied viticulture and winemaking and armed with all the knowledge gathered, launched hands to the reorganization of his vines. Determined to make his own way as producer-bottler, it was build in the family’s “Quinta da Gaivosa” the winery where, from that day to beyond it was going to be vinified the production of Gaivosa and the other “Quintas”. Concluded some experiences with different grape varieties, it was selected the ones that revealed to be more appropriable to produce the best wines of D.O.C. Douro, and with them it was produced and launched in the market, in middle of 1992, that it would be its first wine: Quinta do Vale da Raposa white 1991. Soon it had the attention of wine lovers and it deserved the best references. It was the beginning of a trail filled of successes that came until the present days, and still with much to give. PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s).