Quinta da Fonte Souto Alicante Bouschet
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Quinta da Fonte Souto Alicante Bouschet embodies all the virtues of the unique terroir of the property: the freshness and balance of the altitude and the complexity and structure of the vineyards – low-yielding ripe ones.
- Known as one of the main dying varieties, it can be found on the slopes of the Serra de São Mamede, a terroir that allows it to express the extraordinary complexity and elegance that characterize Fonte Souto wines.
Varietal Composition: 100% Alicante Bouschet
Elaboration: The grapes are harvested in small boxes and received at the property’s cellar. Manual sorting is followed by stemming and gentle crushing, after which the Grapes are transferred to fermentation vessels with a peristaltic pump. The fermentations are monitored individually and the temperatures and movements of maceration adjusted to maximize the potential of the grapes. There is a period post-fermentative maceration to promote the extraction of tannins from the seeds — complementary to the tannins in the skins — in order to favor the structure and accentuate aging potential.
Tasting Notes: Wide aromatic expression: forest floor, bush, pine needles and discreet notes of fennel, later giving way to black fruits (blackberries, blueberry), black plum and hints of licorice. In the mouth some chocolate, mushroom/truffle and smoked suggestion, showing the good barrel integration. Monumental in mouth, with several layers providing fascinating complexity. Refined tannins combined with good acidity (discreet, but present), enhancing the formidable structure. Wine eminently gastronomic with great potential for long storage.
PRESS
2018 – 93 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Quinta da Fonte Souto is a Portuguese wine 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.