Quinta da Pellada Alto Tinto
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Winemaker Notes
Bright ruby-garnet. On the nose, powerful aromatics that gain explosivity with some air. Sour cherry, raspberry, cranberry, flint, truffle and violets comingle on the nose. On the palate, this is an elegant, finessed wine with restraint to its power and structure. Built to age, this is tightly wound in its youth with mouthwatering acidity but a beautiful purity to the core of red fruit and minerals. Finishes long, with impeccable balance.
Wine Information
Dão is increasingly regarded as one of Portugal’s most compelling fine-wine regions, prized for its protected mountain setting, granitic soils, and balanced climate that combines continental warmth with cooling Atlantic influences. Framed by the Serra da Estrela, Caramulo, and Buçaco ranges, vineyards planted at elevations of roughly 450 to 600 meters benefit from slow ripening conditions that foster bright acidity, ethereal aromatics, and finely structured tannins. The historic estate of Quinta da Pellada, first documented in 1527, lies near Vila Nova de Tazém and has been a key reference point in the modern revival of Dão wines. Álvaro de Castro inherited the property in 1980 and dedicated himself fully to restoring the family’s winemaking tradition, later joined by his daughter Maria, trained in oenology, who continues to shape the estate’s contemporary vision alongside a small technical team. Today, Pellada wines are rooted in a philosophy of minimal intervention and deep respect for nature, combining traditional field-blend viticulture with thoughtful modern practices. The estate’s old vineyards, often averaging 70 years or more and composed of dozens of indigenous varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Alvarelhão, Tinta Pinheira, and Tinta Amarela, are cultivated to express the nuanced character of each parcel. Granitic soils and the moderating influence of nearby river valleys contribute mineral tension and structural precision, while the region’s diurnal shifts preserve freshness and complexity. This slow-wine approach results in age-worthy, terroir-driven reds that reflect both the historic identity of Dão and the Castro family’s ongoing commitment to authenticity and site expression.
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