Esporão Reserva Red

A classic, powerful red from the Portuguese winery Esporão. An intense, deep, dark color. The wine smells and tastes just like it looks. It also received a 92-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, which speaks volumes. This Reserva Red is truly a superb wine!

The Portuguese wine producer of Esporão Reserva Red

The vineyards of leading producer Esporão are located in the Alentejo region. This region is characterized by summers with very hot days alternating with significantly cooler nights, and extremely cold winters by Portuguese standards. This climate, combined with volcanic soil and the use of local grape varieties, are the best ingredients for Esporão's highly original and excellent Portuguese wines. The winery's origins date back several centuries. During the Roman occupation, the wines were already being exported throughout the Roman Empire. In 1985, Portugal's most modern winery was built, utilizing natural techniques as much as possible. In 2002, a second one was added, specifically built for white wine production. And as if that weren't enough, the estate also produces high-quality olive oil. A completely new production facility was opened for this purpose in 2016. Esporão operates entirely according to organic farming practices in both the vineyard and the olive grove. Esporão is now one of the most important wine producers in Portugal.

Long-term wood aging and bottle maturation for Esporão Reserva Red

The Esporão Reserva Red is a unique blend of Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Trincadeira, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are harvested separately, destemmed, and crushed, after which controlled alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats to regulate the temperature. Finally, the wine is aged for 12 months in a combination of 60 percent American and 40 percent French oak barrels. After bottling, the wine is aged for a further eight months in the bottle. The result is an intense ruby-red wine. The aroma reveals hints of wild berries, dark plums, cloves, and a touch of vanilla. It is rich yet elegant. On the palate, it is intense and dense, yet with robust tannins, giving it structure and complexity that guarantee fantastic bottle development.