2011 Alves de Sousa, Abandonado - Douro DOC - 1 Bottle (0.75L)

Abandonado 2011 is one of the most iconic wines produced by Domingos Alves de Sousa in Portugal's Douro Valley. It comes from a very old, pre-phylloxera vineyard that was literally abandoned for decades, which is the origin of the wine's name.

Origin

The vineyard is located on an extremely steep Douro hillside and is planted with very old vines containing a field blend of traditional Douro grape varieties. Production is extremely limited, which adds to the wine's exclusivity.

The project began when the Alves de Sousa family restored this historic vineyard, preserving its original viticultural heritage and creating a wine with a strong and distinctive identity. Abandonado quickly became one of the Douro's cult wines.

The 2011 Vintage

The 2011 vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever produced in Portugal, particularly in the Douro region.

Abandonado 2011 offers:

- Exceptional concentration of ripe black fruit.
- Notes of rockrose (cistus), spices, and graphite.
- Balsamic and mineral nuances.
- Firm yet elegant tannins.
- Remarkable depth and persistence.
- Outstanding ageing potential.

This is a wine that continues to evolve positively and can remain in excellent condition for well over a decade if stored properly.

Critical Acclaim

The 2011 vintage received outstanding reviews from both international and Portuguese wine critics and is frequently considered one of the finest releases of Abandonado.

Critics particularly highlight:

- Aromatic complexity.
- Impressive structure.
- Elegance despite its concentration.
- Exceptional cellaring potential.

Drinking Window

Today, the wine is at a very interesting stage of development:

- It can be enjoyed now.
- It benefits from decanting for 1 to 2 hours before serving.
- It still has the potential to age gracefully for many more years.

Food Pairing

Abandonado 2011 pairs beautifully with:

- Roast kid goat.
- Roast lamb.
- Game meats.
- Aged and cured cheeses.