2019 Antonio Madeira ‘A Palheira’, Dao, Portugal

This wine is a blend of the best vineyards that Antonio works. The vine age here is old on average starting at least at 60 and to well above 100. There are more than 20 varieties in this wine but Baga is the main one at close to 50%. Hand harvest into small baskets with first sort at harvest. The grapes are destemmed and pressed and undergo a prefermentative cold maceration for 4-5 days to gain aromatics. This is done in small tanks or plastic vats. The musts are then allowed to warm up and native yeast fermentation begins. Hand punch downs 1 per day for the 12-14 day fermentation. The wines are aged in used French oak 400, 500 or 600L barrels for 2 winters to naturally stabalize and clarify the wines.