Region: Dão - Sub-region of Lands of Senhorim - Carregal do Sal (Oliveira do Conde).
Vineyard: : Encruzado da Vinha da Fonte Velha (1.43ha total, 0.7ha Encruzado), “grand cru” according to the Parra classification, 35-year-old plants.
Grape Varieties: 100% Encruzado
Climate/Geography: The climate of Dão is moderate continental, clearly marked by the mountain ranges that surround it and protect it from the Atlantic influence. Average annual temperature: 14°C-16°C, average summer temperature: 18°C-20°C, maximum daily temperature range in summer: 20°C. The Açor Domain enjoys the freshness and continentality of the Dão, but at the same time its mesoclimate is drier and less marginal than in the Serra da Estrela. The grapes ripen slowly and with an immense balance between sugars and acids, and a very high load of aromatic precursors.
Soil: Granitic. Very well composed between soil and stone, more precisely between the silt typical of granite soils, with the alterites or rocks degraded by the chemical and physical processes of weathering, in addition to the quartz and the granite bedrock. Alterites (rocks that have been severely degraded by chemical and physical weathering processes) between levels 3 and 5 predominate throughout the Domínio do Açor vineyard.
Viticulture: Organic in the process of certification, pruning and canopy management consultancy by Marco Simonit.
Vinification: Total destemming and crushing followed by 24-hour skin contact. Pneumatic pressing, natural decantation and spontaneous fermentation in barrels, at a temperature between 20-22ºC. Complete malolactic. Aged in barrels on fine lees for 11 months, in a reducing environment. Clean passage and ageing in stainless steel for 6 months until bottling. Natural decantation, the wine has not been clarified or filtered, and may contain deposits. Low sulfur addition (28mg/l of total sulfur dioxide).
Ageing: 11 months in new and used barrels (1 600L French oak barrel and 2 500L Austrian/German oak barrels). Subsequently 6 months in stainless steel. Bottled in February 2025.
Tasting Notes: Intense lemon in color. A great Encruzado from Dão, remarkably complex, with layers of yellow fruits and citrus fruits, herbs, wild flowers and a touch of resin and almonds, all framed by noble, sophisticated wood, and brushed with a delicate smoky reduction. In the mouth it is voluminous, but firm and very long, with the fruit based on a striking granite minerality.
Pairing: Prawn rice, Grilled pork secrets, Veal hand with grains, Buttered Serra da Estrela cheese, Ribs with Minas Gerais canjiquinha, Free-range chicken with okra.
Serving Temperature: 10-12°C
Estimated storage time: 20 years.
Terroir Consultant: Pedro Parra
Consulting Winemaker: Luís Lopes
Resident Winemaker: João Costa
