FitaPreta - Os Paulistas 'Chão dos Eremitas' Vinhas Velhas 2019

Fitapreta is António Maçanita’s estate near the ancient Roman city of Evora, located in the rolling hills of Alentejo. Since its inception in 2004, Fitapreta has pushed the boundaries of what fine winemaking can be in this region, and over the last two decades, the estate has become a benchmark for the New Portugal, earning Antonio international accolades like Winemaker of the Year, Most Unique Winemaker, and Winemaker of the Generation. Maçanita works only with indigenous varieties and showcases his estate’s terroir through exacting work: farming organically without irrigation, harvesting by hand at night, deliberate bunch sorting in the winery, and native yeast fermentation. Through his commitment to these principles, he can craft wines that represent sunny Alentejo, but which have a balance and freshness unmatched by others in the region. Maçanita finds equilibrium between tradition and modernity, and his constant exploration of vineyards has enabled him to show off a truly deep understanding of Alentejano terroir, present and past. Whether on his original estate vineyard or in his Chão dos Eremitas site, his wines always contain a through-line of elegance and purity. The broad assortment of wine styles available from Fitapreta is a testament to Antonio’s intellect, curiosity, playfulness, and rigorous attention to detail. Fitapreta has something for everyone!

Manual night harvest, selected on a choice table, 30% whole bunch of 70% destemmed, fall by gravity in the vat. Spontaneous fermentation and maceration between 25 to 40 days, followed by an 18-month aging in 3 years old French oak barrels.

"The 2019 Os Paulistas Vinhas Velhas Chão dos Eremitas is a blend of Tinta Carvalha (35%), Castelão (30%), Moreto (15%), Alfrocheiro (10%) and Trincadeira (10%), all aged for 18 months in well-used French oak (third-use or more). It comes in at 14% alcohol. The Tinta Carvalha and Castelão are partly (30%) whole-bunch fermented. Could this be the best of the reds in this report? Maybe, although a couple of its siblings are strong contenders in this brilliant lineup. This has the combination of power, complexity, texture and depth. It holds its own or wins on all fronts. It should age well and develop consistently. There are touches of plums, strawberries and herbs and a hint of something like Alicante (yet there isn't any). The mid-palate finesse is exquisite, with silky texture in addition on the finish. The blend creates something different and wonderful. This may well improve notably in the cellar. Let's start here and see how this ages in time. This is only the second vintage. It is already a home run with the capacity for improvement. It makes me want to lean up for the moment, but it does have some things to prove." - 97 Points, Wine Advocate 

Producer: FitaPreta

Country: Portugal

Region: Alentejano

Varietal: Tinta Carvalha, Castelão, Moreto, Alfrocheiro, Trincadeira

Appellation: Alentejo

Vintage: 2019

Size: 750ML