Quinta da Fonte Taifa 2021
€ 74.00
Quinta da Fonte Souto Taifa 2021 is a white wine of great freshness and complexity, originating from the Serra de São Mamede, near Portalegre. Made with 75% Arinto and 25% Verdelho, this wine combines the region's natural acidity with refined aging in French and European oak barrels, resulting in a creamy texture and unique elegance. The initial aromatic impression is one of light smoke, with hints of gunpowder and fruits such as peach and apricot, accompanied by notes of vanilla and wildflowers. On the palate, the wine displays great breadth, with lively acidity and an elegant finish.
"Taifa" refers to the numerous Muslim principalities/kingdoms that emerged on the Iberian Peninsula after the fragmentation of the Caliphate of Cordoba in the 11th century. The area that is now Portalegre was part of one of the largest Taifas.
Food pairing
With a perfect balance between freshness and structure, it is the perfect choice with fish and seafood dishes, or simply to enjoy in good company.
Grapes: 75% Arinto, 25% Verdelho
The 2021 harvest was long, starting on August 17th and ending on October 8th. The first grape variety harvested was Verdelho, followed by Arinto, which was harvested in phases starting in late August, yielding wines with diverse profiles. A cool July ensured excellent acidity in the white grapes, resulting in fresh and expressive aromas. From mid-August, rising temperatures led to rapid ripening, suggesting an early harvest. However, this did not materialize, as the return of cooler temperatures and rain at the end of the month
delayed ripening, forcing us to interrupt the harvest, which only resumed on September 16th. This is a year of elegance, with the acidity and aromatic exuberance
expected of a cooler year, combined with very fine textures and excellent balance.
The grapes are harvested and placed in small boxes with manual sorting. This is followed by destemming and gentle pressing, after which the grapes are transferred to a pneumatic press where they are pressed under low pressure. Fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks. The grapes are aged for 11 months in new French and Hungarian oak barrels (500 liters). After alcoholic fermentation begins, a portion of the must is transferred to 500-liter oak barrels—this larger capacity minimizes the influence of the wood on the aromatic components—where it remains for 11 months.
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 vol%
Store & Serve
Serve at 12 °C. Drink from now till 8 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