Quinta do Seival Castas Portuguesas Touriga Nacional / Tinta Roriz

Wine information: Quinta do Seival Castas Portuguesas is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz and comes from the Campanha region of Brazil. In 2000 the Miolo Wine Group acquired a livestock farm in the Campanha region of Brazil, south east of the Rio Grande do Sul and the Forteleza Seival Vineyards project began. The Campanha climate is typical of sub-tropical regions, there are hot summers and the rainfall is relatively low. The vineyards are not irrigated. Miolo planted an comprehensive selection of 17 different grape varieties in total. There are plantings of international grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, the lesser known Tannat and, more interestingly, Portuguese varieties – Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro. The Seival Vineyard is on target to reach an area of 400 hectares by the end of 2012. Grapes for this wine are manually harvested into 20kg crates and are transported to Vinicola Miolo for vinification. There is careful hand sorting of bunches prior to mechanical destemming. The grapes undergo fermentation and skin maceration with 4 to 6 daily pigeages to ensure slow extraction of colour and tannins. The grape varieties are racked and pressed separately, the wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels prior to ageing for about 10 months. After maturation the wine is then blended and bottled. The winemaker is Miguel Almeida with consultant Michel Rolland.

Tasting Notes: Quinta do Seival Castas Portuguesas Touriga Nacional / Tinta Roriz has a good colour and intensity with colour tones ranging from ruby red to purple. Typical of the Portuguese varieties the aromas are intense and persistent with notes of raisin, fig, strawberry, chocolate, prune and fruit preserve. The palate is well-balanced with expressive body and soft rounded tannins with a lingering pleasant finish.

Reviews: "Very dark. Fragrant with a light Touriga Nacional perfume - and a hint of citrus. Slight sweetness of oak. Good firm structure but still succulent and fragrant on the palate. Firm but silky and still so youthful. Fresh and tight and long. This was probably my favourite Miolo wine." (JH) 17.5 Points, Jancis Robinson

 
     

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