Quinta da Fonte Souto 2019 Red
€ 21.20
A red wine named after its beautiful chestnut groves (Soutos), that lie close to the vineyards from which the grapes are sourced, namely the finest parcels of Alicante Bouschet and Syrah. The lower vigour of these vines and the low yields resulted in concentrated, structured wines that also reflect the singular freshness which the altitude provides.
Aromas of Mediterranean scrub with balsamic notes of pine needles and resin. Broad and complex on the palate, with succulent flavours of fruits of the forest and hints of clove. The taut tannins provide a well-toned structure, balanced by fresh acidity which gives the wine great definition. The diversity of grape varieties used mark the wine with a very particular profile, a clear gastronomic aptitude as well as promising ageing potential.
Food pairing
This premium wine has received numerous accolades and is ideal for pairing with hearty meat dishes, game, and strong cheeses.
Grapes: 45% Alicante Bouschet, 30% Syrah, 25% Alfrocheiro
The hand-picked grapes are placed in small, shallow boxes and taken to the on-site winery. Manual sorting is followed by destemming and gentle crushing after which grapes are transferred to the fermentation vats. Fermentations are individually monitored, and the temperature and macerations are adjusted to maximise the potential of each fermenting batch. The grapes sourced from the property’s finest vineyard parcels are vinified in smaller capacity fermentation vats, worked manually with cap submersion and post fermentation maceration to encourage the extraction of some tannin from the pips to complement those extracted from the grape skins. This adds structure and longevity to the wines. 50% of the blend is aged 8 months in second and third year 400 l French oak barrels.
Quinta da Fonte Souto is the Symington family’s first estate outside the Douro region. You may have heard of Symington elsewhere—they also own the renowned port wine producer Graham’s. At Quinta da Fonte Souto, however, the focus is more on classic wines. The winery is located in Portalegre, near the São Mamede mountain range, where the vineyards benefit from a cooler climate than what is typically expected in the region’s warm weather.
The estate covers 43 hectares of vineyards, primarily planted with Aragonês, Alfrocheiro, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also a number of chestnut trees growing here, which inspired the name—‘souto’ refers to a wooded area planted with chestnut trees. Lying on the slopes of the São Mamede Range at an altitude of 500 metres in the Alentejo sub-region of Portalegre, the property benefits from cooler and wetter conditions than the hot Alentejo plain. The Fonte Souto wines express the freshness and elegance provided by the altitude, as well as the structure and complexity from the estate’s extensive collection of mature, low-yielding vines
Alcoholcontent
14,5 vol%
Store & Serve
Serve at 16 °C. Drink from now till 10 years after harvest year.
Critics & Awards
18/20 - Grandes Escolhas Tasted: May 2022
95/100 - Decanter World Wine Awards Tasted: Jan 2024
Producer: Symington Family Estates
Region: Alentejo, Portalegre