Scala Coeli Tinto Reserva Sousão 2020 – Alentejo Regional Wine

Grape varieties: 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 in December 2019. Alternating hot, dry days with periods of intense rain caused outbreaks of diseases and pests in the vineyards, which required closer and more meticulous monitoring. Although the summer was extreme, with several heatwaves in July, August brought “normal” temperatures and cool nights, helping the grapes achieve higher-quality ripeness. It is worth recalling that the restrictions introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in the teams’ technical and organisational capabilities and the development of new adaptive technological tools, enabling a smooth harvest and excellent performance in achieving the winemaking objectives.

Harvest: Hand-picked on 11 September 2020. The grapes were cooled in a cold room (12ºC), then sorted using an optical sorter at the winery. Pre-fermentation cold skin maceration for 5 days, followed by alcoholic fermentation in French oak vats, carried out using indigenous yeasts (present on the grapes), to bring out greater expression of this non-native variety in the Alentejo terroir. Post-fermentation maceration lasted 20 days, followed by malolactic fermentation and ageing in 225-litre French oak barrels, both first and second use. All grape transfers were carried out by gravity to preserve the grapes’ quality potential as much as possible.

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

Recommended drinking window: 2025 to 2040

Serving temperature: 18ºC

Tasting note: Opaque ruby colour, typical of the variety. Intense aroma, with a strong vegetal and chemical character, dark fruit, blueberries, cherry and spices; the oak is very well integrated. Robust and concentrated on the palate, with austere tannins, high acidity and dense dark fruit. Exceptionally 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 offered for sale is the one stated in the title and in the “Vintage” field (2020), subject to available stock. If in doubt, contact us before purchasing to confirm.