terça-feira, 2 de fevereiro de 2016

Xi-Coração, douro reserva tinto 2012


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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