Region: Alentejo, Portugal
Varietals: 25% Alicante Bouschet, 25% Trincadeira, 20% Touriga Nacional, 15% Aragonez, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
92 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Reserva Tinto was produced with a multi-grape blend of Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional, Aragonês and Cabernet Sauvignon from granite and schist soils that fermented in stainless steel, concrete vats and marble lagar, with malolactic in stainless steel, and matured in French and American oak barrels, 20% of them new, for 12 months. It has a serious nose that is Mediterranean, spicy and smoky, with notes of dry hay and straw, ripe fruit and a hint of iron. It's medium- to full-bodied, with abundant tannins and some oak flavors. It comes in at 14% alcohol, with a pH of 3.61, finishing very dry. Wait a bit. 500,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2024.
91 Points Wine Spectator
A balanced red, with well-balanced weight and flesh, defined nicely by fresh acidity and sleek, chalky-edged tannins. Offers a pure core of black raspberry and boysenberry fruit, with accents of blood orange peel, herbed olive and tar-tinged mineral showing good length through the lightly chewy finish. Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Syrah. Drink now through 2032. 89,400 cases made, 1,400 cases imported.
Winemaker Notes
Esporao Reserva Tinto 2023 dazzles with its vibrant intensity. On the nose, captivating notes of ripe black fruits, such as blackberries and plums, are intertwined with subtle hints of spices and dark chocolate, a result of its barrel aging. This wine asserts itself with its silky texture, offering the palate a harmonious balance between well-structured tannins and a refreshing acidity. Its finish is long and persistent, leaving a delightful memory. The 2023 vintage has been particularly favourable, providing optimal grape maturation and enhancing authentic flavours. Recommended for those who appreciate robust and complex wines.
