Herdade do Mouchão 2018 Mouchão
The flagship wine for Mouchao, with roughly 80% Alicante Bouschet, and a revelation. The grape has been described as having “very few primary aromas, but with age amazing tertiary aromas and flavors,” and while the wine is far enough along that primary aromas would be a matter of the past, it is indeed chock full of expression. Dark, coffeed, balsamic, yet energetic, it can take a day or two to really flower after opening, but right from the start justified its price tag. This is the current offering as, like our friends in Rioja, they want the wine to be ready to drink when they release it. Drink it now or save it forever, as the 1954 (for example) is said to be still as fresh as a daisy!
Pronounce this wine:
Arriving Soon
Wine Specifics
WineWise Code | PMO-MOU18 |
Country | Portugal |
Region | Alentejo |
Color/Style | Red |
Destemming | Whole Cluster |
Fermentation Vessel | Barrel |
Additional Fermentation Notes | At Mouchão we vinify ALL our red wines in open stone troughs (lagares). Whole bunches, including stems, are included in the maceration process making harvest timing especially critical. The hand-picked bunches are foot-trodden twice daily and allowed to ferment for roughly 4-6 days. The young fermented wine undergoes malo-lactic fermentation in the autumn, in large wooden tonéis (5.000L vats). It is racked off its coarse lees in mid-winter and then remains undisturbed for a further 3 years. Once bottled, the wine is matured for a further 24-36 months before being released. |
Aging Vessel | Cask 100% |
Aging Duration (months) | 36 to 48 months |
Filtered? | No |
Fining Agents | None |
Yeast Protocol | Spontaneous |
Malolactic Conversion | No |
Additonal Maturation Details: | Yes contact, no stirring |
Added Sulfur | Yes, 36 ppm |
Varieties | Alicante Bouchet (85%) & Trincadeira (15%) |
Residual Sugar | 1.5 |
ABV | 14.5 |
Acidity | 6.2 |
pH | 3.38 |
Closure | Natural Cork |
Annual Production | 33,385 Bottles |
Primary Vineyard Name | Vinha dos Carapetos - Name of a indigenous Vineyards that surrounds this particular vineyard |
Soil Types | Alluvial, Loam |
Elevation (meters) | 202 |
Vine Age | 35 |
Yields (hl/ha) | 4,000 kg/ha |
Farming Practices | Practicing Organic, Certified Sustainable; WASP nº 22 certified |
Harvest Method | Hand-harvested |
Other Vineyard Details | 45 hectares, alluvial soils, non irrigated, hand picked |
Notes from the Producer: Dark ruby red. It shows a deep and complex aroma, ripe black fruits involved by spices and balsamic notes.
Lively and full bodied, the concentrated palate is balanced with vibrant acidity that support the ripe and juicy tannins. Very long finish that will backbone a good aging potential for years to come.
