Quinta da Fonte Souto - Vinha do Souto 2018 (750ml)

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Price: $75.99

3+ Price: $74.99 / btl

6+ Price: $72.99 / btl

12+ Price: $70.99 /btl

Producer	Quinta da Fonte Souto
Country	Portugal
Region	Alentejano
Varietal	Syrah, Alicante Bouschet
Vintage	2018
Sku	129617
Size	750ml
ABV	14.50%

Quinta da Fonte Souto Description

QUINTA DA FONTE SOUTO
VINHA DO SOUTO 2018
THE WINE
This is the flagship wine of the estate, named after its beautiful chestnut
groves (Soutos), that lie close to the vineyards from which the grapes are
sourced, namely the finest parcels of Alicante Bouschet and Syrah. The
lower vigor of these vines and the low yields resulted in concentrated,
structured wines that also reflect the singular freshness which the altitude
provides.
VINTAGE OVERVIEW
The winter was cold and initially quite dry, but from the end of February
and until June, rainfall levels were above the 30-year average, particularly
during March and April. A wet spring delayed the vegetative cycle, and this
was the case right up to the vintage. Summer began cool and practically
without rain, but between August and October temperatures were always
above average and with very little rain. These conditions were, however, a
beneficial counterpoint to the low temperatures and abundant rainfall
recorded during most of the winter and throughout the spring. The vintage
started mid-September and the grapes showed complete and balanced
maturations. We produced very elegant wines, aromatic, well-structured
and balanced.
WINEMAKING
The hand-picked grapes are placed in small, shallow boxes and taken to the
on-site winery. Manual sorting is followed by destemming and gentle
crushing after which grapes are transferred to the fermentation vats.
Fermentations are individually monitored, and the temperature and macer-
ations are adjusted to maximise the potential of each fermenting batch. The
grapes sourced from the property’s finest vineyard parcels are vinified in
smaller capacity fermentation vats, worked manually with cap submersion
and post fermentation maceration to encourage the extraction of some
tannin from the pips to complement those extracted from the grape skins.
This adds structure and longevity to the wines.
WINEMAKERS
Charles Symington, Pedro Correia and
José Daniel Soares (resident winemaker)
GRAPE VARIETIES
55% Syrah
45% Alicante Bouschet
AGING
70% of the blend aged 12 months in new
French oak barrels and 30% in second
year barrels (both 400L barrels).
WINE SPECIFICATION
Alcohol: 14.5% vol
Total acidity: 5.2 g/l tartaric acid
100 9L cases imported

Suitable for Vegans.
TASTING NOTE
Aromas of woodland are enhanced by
pine and resin notes that confer great
freshness and evoke the extensive forested
area of Fonte Souto. Also, a lot of spice
made of white pepper and clove, as well as
black cherry and floral notes of roses.
Dense and powerful in the mouth with
notes of spice, tea, and tobacco. The
impressive structure, sculpted tannins
and refined acidity, foresee an excellent
development in bottle. A little reserved,
needing some time to reveal all its
greatness.

SCORES
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast, 2022
94 Points, James Suckling, 2023
93 Points, Wine & Spirits, 2022