Quinta da Fonte Souto Alentejo DOC Branco
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Quinta da Fonte Souto Branco is located on the slopes of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, close to Portalegre
- The vineyards of Fonte Souto — planted between 490 and 550 meters in altitude — benefit conditions of greater freshness and humidity than the areas of the hot Alentejo plain.
- The transitional soils between shale and granite, with a predominance of shale, ensure an ideal balance between good levels of water retention and good drainage. the wines express the freshness and balance that derive from the high dimensions, as well as the structure and complexity that result from mature vines with low yields.
Varietal Composition: 75% Arinto, 25% Verdelho
Elaboration: The grapes are harvested into small boxes and received in the property’s cellar. A manual sorting followed by destemming and gentle crushing, after which the grapes are transferred to a pneumatic press where they are pressed at low pressure. A Fermentation starts in stainless steel vats, but immediately after the start of fermentation alcoholic beverage, part of the musts are transferred to 500 l oak barrels — this larger one capacity makes it possible to minimize the impact of the wood on the aromatic component. A greater incorporation of ‘fine’ lees is intended for the production of wines with greater aromatic complexity and mouth volume. The musts are kept in contact with fermentation lees using frequent bâtonnage, in order to promote the extraction of released compounds, which provide volume and greasiness that balance very well with the natural acidity of the Serra de São Mamede grapes.
60% of the batch fermented in 500 barrels l in contact with fine lees. the batch final aged seven months in new wood from French and Central European oak (50%); 40% in second and third year wood and 10% stainless steel.
Tasting Notes: Subtle smoky notes, with a discreet touch of vanilla, frame aromas of flowers white — jasmine and honeysuckle — and also peach and apricot. creamy mouth and buttery with hints of toast and honey in perfect balance due to the acidity it gives focus on structure. secondary flavors include plum, citrus and balsamic notes of pine forest. End of mouth reveals nutmeg and notes of tea.
PRESS
2021 – 93 James Suckling | 91 Wine Enthusiast
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Quinta da Fonte Souto is a Portuguese red blend produced by the Symington family, well-known for their premium port wines.
In the name “Fonte Souto,” Fonte represents the springs that provide an abundance of fresh water to the vineyard. Souto means represents the considerable area of chestnut trees and cork oaks that cover the estate in the Portalegre subregion of the Alto Alentejo in southern Portugal. There are 207 hectares on the property, of which 43 are planted with vines.
The Symingtons come from a long line of port producers. Andrew James Symington arrived in Portugal in 1882 and married Porto-born Beatrice who was descended from port merchants going back to 1652. Today, ten family members representing a fifth generation are working in the business. In addition to winning many awards, they produced the only port made this century to score 100 points in Wine Spectator.