Touriga Nacional, Peninsula de Setubal

Producer Note

Santo Isidro de Pegões was founded in 1958. The cooperative is made up of 140 winegrowers and has access to over 1,100 hectares of vineyard located in the Terras do Sado area of the Setúbal peninsula. This coastal area benefits from mineral-rich sandy soils and cooling Atlantic winds. Santo Isidro de Pegões is one of the most forward thinking cooperatives in Portugal and their chief winemaker, Jaime Quendera one of Portugal's most respected winemakers. In 2017 they were awarded the Portuguese Wine Producer of the Year Trophy from the IWSC.

Vineyard

The Pegões vineyard is located between two Nature Reserves: the Tagus estuary to the Northwest and the Sado on the Southwest. To the east are the Arrabida hills and to the west the Alentejo province's clays. The unique soil here is named "Pliocenico de Pegões". It is a sandy soil formed over millions of years by sand transported by the rivers Tagus and Sado. It is this Mediterranean climate and soil combination that creates this unique Pegões terroir.

Winemaking

A long maceration in stainless steel took place to extract the maximum colour and aromatics from the grapes. Fermentation took place in stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures followed by a long pellicular maceration. The wine was aged for 12 months in French and American oak, followed by four months in bottle prior to release.

Tasting Note

A bold wine with flavours of black cherry with herbs and vanilla. Smooth and flavoursome on the palate with a spicy and warm finish.

Serving Suggestion

Pairs well with rich, hearty dishes such as a meat casserole, meat shortcrust pastry pies, beef tenderloin with blue cheese mash or mature cheese.

Grape

Touriga Nacional 100%

Awards

International Wine Challenge, Commended, 2015; Decanter World