Scala Coeli Sousão Red Reserve 2020 – Vinho Regional Alentejano

Grape variety: Sousão

Vines: 15 years old

Soil type: Granite

Analytical data: Alcohol (%) – 15.0; Total acidity (g/l) – 5.6; pH – 3.66; Total sugars (g/l) – 1.2

Energy value: 86 kcal/ml (356kJ/100ml)

Harvest: Spring 2020 was unusually hot and dry, despite the heavy rainfall recorded in December 2019. The alternation between hot, dry days and periods of intense rain caused outbreaks of diseases and pests in the vineyards, requiring closer and more meticulous monitoring. Although the summer was extreme, with several heatwaves in July, August brought “normal” temperatures and cool nights, qualitatively assisting ripening with greater potential. It is worth remembering that the restrictions introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in the teams’ technical and organizational standards and the development of new adaptive technological tools, enabling a smooth harvest with high performance in achieving winemaking objectives.

Harvest: Hand-harvested on September 11, 2020. The grapes were cooled in a cold room (12ºC), with automatic optical sorting at the winery. Pre-fermentation cold skin maceration for 5 days, followed by alcoholic fermentation in French oak vats, carried out with indigenous yeasts (present on the grapes), seeking greater expression of this non-native variety in the Alentejo terroir. Post-fermentation maceration for 20 days, preceding malolactic fermentation and aging in 225-liter French oak barrels, both first- and second-use. All grape transfer processes were carried out by gravity to preserve the grapes’ quality potential as much as possible.

Aging: 15 months in French oak barrels followed by 36 months in bottle in the cellars of the Cartuxa Monastery.

Recommended drinking period: 2025 to 2040

Serving temperature: 18ºC

Tasting note: Opaque ruby color, typical of the variety. Intense aroma, with strong vegetal and chemical character, black fruit, blueberries, cherry and spices, with very well-integrated oak. On the palate, it is robust and concentrated, with austere tannins, built on a foundation of high acidity and dense black fruit; extraordinarily persistent, almost excessive. Pedro Baptista | Duarte Lopes

Note on the technical sheet and vintage: This description is based on the latest technical sheet provided by the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation. The vintage announced for sale is the one indicated in the title and in the “Vintage” field (2020), subject to stock availability. If in doubt, please contact us before purchasing to confirm.