Quinta Da Fonte Souto Branco

Description

Quinta da Fonte Souto is located on the slopes of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, near Portalegre. The estate benefits from an altitude of 490 to 550 meters and from cooler, more humid conditions than the hot Alentejo plains. The transitional soils between slate and granite—predominantly slate—provide a perfect balance between water retention and good drainage. This terroir produces wines that are strikingly fresh and balanced, complemented by the structure and complexity of mature vines and low yields. **Winemaking:** Grapes are harvested into small buckets and received at the estate’s cellar. After manual sorting, destemming and a gentle crushing, the grapes are transferred to a pneumatic press where they are pressed at low pressure. Fermentation begins in stainless‑steel tanks, but immediately after the start of alcoholic fermentation part of the must is transferred to 500 L oak barrels—this larger capacity helps minimize the wood’s impact on aromatic components. The goal is greater incorporation of fine lees to produce wines with greater aromatic complexity and mouth volume. The must is kept in contact with the fermentation lees through frequent bâtonnage, promoting the extraction of released compounds that give volume and a silky mouthfeel, well balanced with the natural acidity of the Serra de São Mamede grapes. **Aging:** 70 % of the batch fermented in 500 L barrels in contact with fine lees. The final batch aged for seven months in new oak from French and Central European sources (46 %); 54 % in second‑year wood. **Awards:** 93/100 – James Suckling – Top 100 Portuguese Wines 2023 (2021 vintage). **Allergen Information:** Contains sulfites. SKU: 105228