XI~CORAÇÃO 2012 is a blend of:
♥ 40% Touriga Franca
♥
40% Tinta Barroca
♥
20% Tinta Roriz
The 2012 Vintage
2012 was a comparatively dry year. Winter was cold and
dry, with rainfall and temperatures falling well below averages from the
previous 40 years. Luckily, the main March and April rains were able to restore
the soil water reserves to allow the adequate development of the vineyard. A
very dry summer ensued, up until September when rain allowed grapes to reach a
maturity which had been delayed by the summer dryness. This resulted in a
delayed harvest (ten days late) and complete phenolic maturity, with exceptional
grape concentration. Average yield for this vintage was 34 hL/ha (4,5 t/ha).
Vinification
The best blocks were identified before the
harvest through grape sampling and tasting, and this method was equally used to
determine harvest dates. The harvest took place from the 6th to the 10th
October 2012, with an initial screening for the finest grapes during
hand-picking. A second manual selection occurred on the sorting table at the
Mateus winery. After de-stemming and a light crushing, the must was fermented
in stainless steel tanks under controlled temperature (24-26 °C). Some tanks
underwent an initial 4-day cold maceration before the start of fermentation.The
extraction of polyphenols (colour and tannin) by pumping
over and delestage was carefully controlled by the winemaker. Maceration times
varied according to the potential of each wine lot. We also had 11-20 days of
maceration before pressing in a pneumatic
press. Daily tastings helped determine the optimum balance of tannins, acidity
and alcohol. The malolactic fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks and,
after racking, the wine was kept in vats for 10 months, ageing on lees. After a
light fining and filtration, the wine was bottled in September 2013.
The XI~CORAÇÃO 2012 production
was 16,000 bottles (75 cl), making it an exclusive wine.
Analysis
♥ Alcohol: 14.73% vol.
♥ Total
acidity: 4.5 g/L (tartaric acid)
♥ pH:
3.81
♥ Residual sugar: 2.4 g/L
♥ Volatile acidity: 0.6 g/L (acetic
acid)
♥ Free SO2: 30 mg/L (SO2)
♥ Total SO2: 85 mg/L (SO2)
Tasting Notes
Colour: XI~CORAÇÃO 2012 has a
purple colour.
Nose: Aromas
of berries like blueberries and blackcurrants, with notes of chocolate, spices
and tobacco leaf.
Taste: The
mouth is intense and well-rounded, giving way to firm and well-matured tannins,
forecasting an excellent bottle ageing. The finish is long, with red berries
and spices.
We decided to omit wood, to
better reveal the complexity of flavours of our different grapes.
XI~CORAÇÃO 2012 was classified Reserva by the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e
do Porto (the institution that regulates Douro demarcation).
Serving Suggestion
This young wine expresses its full
character now. If cellared for 5 to 8 years, however, it will acquire its full
potential of nobility.
A temperature of around 16 °C (a cooling
period of 20-30 min. in the fridge) will tame the exuberance of this wine.
Decanting 30 minutes before serving is also highly recommended. A light deposit
may appear with time, but this in no way affects the quality of the wine.
Pairings
♥ Portuguese specialties such as feijoada and tripas.
♥ Beef cuts such as rump and
sirloin.
♥ Game in stews such as wild boar
or hare, or roasted such as pigeon or woodcock.
♥ Blue cheese such as Roquefort or
Stilton.
♥ Charcuterie and tapas.
♥ Chocolate-based desserts.
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