Scala Coeli Tinto Reserva Sousão 2020 – Alentejano Regional Wine

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 rainfall caused outbreaks of diseases and pests in the vineyard, requiring more attentive and thorough monitoring. Although the summer was extreme, with several heatwaves in July, August brought “normal” temperatures and cool nights, helping the ripening of grapes with greater potential. It is worth remembering that the restrictions introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in the technical and organisational level of the teams and to the development of new adaptive technological tools, enabling a smooth harvest with outstanding performance in achieving the oenological objectives.

Harvest: Hand-picked on 11 September 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 ageing in 225-litre French oak barrels, both first- and second-use. All grape transfer processes were carried out by gravity to preserve the grapes’ qualitative 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, black fruit, blueberries, cherry and spices, with very well-integrated oak. On the palate, it is robust and concentrated, with austere tannins, supported by high acidity and dense black fruit. Exceptionally persistent, almost boundless. Pedro Baptista | Duarte Lopes

Note on the technical sheet and vintage: This description is based on the latest technical sheet made available 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 it.