Quinta da Fonte Souto Alentejo Tinto
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Situated on the slopes of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, near Portalegre, the vineyards of Fonte Souto — planted between 490 and 550 meters above sea level — benefit from conditions of greater freshness and humidity than the areas of the warm AlenTejana plain.
- The transition soils between shale and granite, with predominance of shale, ensure an ideal balance between good water retention levels and good drainage.
- The wines express the freshness and balance that derive from the high quotas, as well as the structure and complexity that result from mature vineyards of low production.
Varietal Composition: 40% Syrah, 30% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Alfrocheiro, 10% Old vines
Elaboration: The grapes are harvested for small boxes and received in the winery of the property. Manual sorting follows the desengace and a gentle crushing after which the grapes are transferred to the fermentation canisters with a peristaltic pump.
Fermentations are followed individually and the temperatures and maceration movements adjusted to maximize the potential of the grapes. A post-fermentativ a macerated period is performed to promote the extraction of tannins from the grains — complementary to the tannins of the films — in order to promote the structure and accentuate the ageing potential.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of pine forest with notes of resin, pint needles, a touch of mint and also wild fruits and black plum. Creamy texture in the mouth with well-focused flavors of blackberry and black fruits with licorice notes, derived from the substantial component of the Syrah variety. In the mouth they also feel polished tannins and tension conferred by the good acidity that enhances the freshness and balance of the wine. The long end of mouth suggests good potential for evolution in bottle.
PRESS
2018 – 90 Wine Spectator
2017 – 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.