Caracol dos Profetas 2023 Vinhos dos Profetas e Villões

€ 14.29

Widely regarded as one of the most dynamic young winemakers in Portugal, António Maçanita crafts wines from the Azores archipelago to Alentejo, and now to Porto Santo, a small island off Madeira. He excels at capturing the essence of the regional terroir and traditions. Pale yellow with an expressive, fresh nose that blends floral aromas with distinctive iodine and gunpowder hints. The palate opens with a crisp and refreshing attack, offering excellent acidity and vibrancy.

This project, led by António Maçanita and Madeiran restaurateur Nuno Faria, celebrates the unique potential of Portugal's Madeira islands. Maçanita is known for reviving forgotten grape varieties and winemaking techniques, including the first Negra Mole wine in the Algarve and rare varieties like Tinta Carvalha and Alicante Branco in Alentejo. His most notable achievement is the revival of Terrantez do Pico and Arinto in the Azores, transforming Azorean wines. In 2021, inspired by Porto Santo's low-growing vines, Faria challenged Maçanita to create Companhia de Vinhos dos Profetas e Villões (The Wine Company of Prophets and Villains). This project honors the islands' terroir and the playful rivalry between Madeirans ("Villões") and Porto Santans ("Profetas"). The wines embody the audacious spirit of these islands and their communities, merging Maçanita’s expertise with Porto Santo's heritage and reinforcing his commitment to revitalizing Portugal’s winemaking traditions through bold, unique wines.

The island of Porto Santo emerged 14 million years ago in the Atlantic Ocean, being geologically one of the oldest islands in the Portuguese archipelagos. It was also the first to be discovered by Zarco in 1418. The ancients say it was here that the rippest grapes were harvested for the wine that made these islands famous. Today there are less than 14 hectars left, farmed by a group of resistants. In the neighbour island the people of Porto Santo are known as the “Prophets”, an ancient nickname that has never made more sense when you see these old vineyards planted by the sea, close to the ground, protected from the ocean and the wind by rock walls (crochet walls) or by ingenious cane structures

Food pairing

Pairs beautifully with light, fresh dishes such as ceviche, carpaccio, oysters, clams, and grilled white fish. Ideal for seafood with delicate textures and subtle flavors.

Grapes: 100% Caracol

Caracol is a traditional grape variety from Porto Santo Island. António Maçanita’s research through microsatellite analysis (genotyping technique) revealed that Caracol is genetically very close to Listrão, differing in only one marker out of 20, suggesting they may share the same parent or one may be the parent of the other. 100% Caracol grapes are grown on Porto Santo using traditional low trellis training to protect against strong winds, with natural barriers like reed beds and crochet walls. The 40 to 80-year-old vineyards thrive in clay-sandy limestone soils, contributing to the island's unique terroir.

Grapes are hand-harvested and vinified on Porto Santo island. Vineyard selection was precise, with some vines undergoing multiple harvests to pick the ripest grapes first. The whole clusters were pressed directly into settling tanks, separating 3 fractions, without the use of SO2 until the end of fermentation. This method encourages pre-oxidation and enhances spontaneous fermentation. The musts fermented on their lees in stainless steel vats, ranging from 250 to 1000L, where they matured for 10 months.

Alcoholcontent

12,5% vol

Store & Serve

Serve at 10°C.

Can be drunk up to 5 years after harvest

Critics & Awards

4,1/5 - Vivino (48 ratings)

Tags: Madeira