Fitapreta 'O Ancestral' Vinho Branco Alentejo 2021

Description

One winemaker, one English Viticulture, a good idea, that’s what it took to found FitaPreta in 2004 by António Maçanita and David Booth. After working together for a couple of months, the two tried doing their first wine together, which ended up being a huge success in the Alentejo and promptly won the Trophy Alentejo Award by IWC, which was last given 22 years ago. Grapes hand harvested at 3-4 am, whole bunch pressing , separatin of 1st and second pressing, cold decanting without any additives added for setteling, rackeed 6-12 hours after, and first pressing fermented vertically and 2nd pressings e lay down tanks. Inculation with slected yeast strains, collected from the wild, like QA23 (selected form the North of Portugal). Clarification with Clay Bentoni- te. Low intervention throughout the cycle. No malolactic. The grapes come from 2 vineyards: Vinha da Nora (60%) is 35-37 years old, organically farmed since 2015, the varieties are Roupeiro (50%), Rabo de Ovelha (20%), Arinto (10%), Tamarez (10%) and Alicante Branco (10%); Vinha de Vale do Cepo (40%) is 47 years old, certified under integrated production, the varieties in the blend are Roupeiro aka Síria (20%) Alicante Branco aka Boal de Alicante (10%) Tamarez aka Trincadeira das Pratas (10%).

Pale lemon yellow color with an intense aroma of citrus and refreshing mineral edge. The mouth-feel has volume that builds in the mid-palate, ending with an impressive freshness and a persistent fruit aroma on the finish.