Scala Coeli Tinto Syrah 2022 – Alentejano Regional Wine

Grape variety: Syrah

Vines: Over 30 years old

Soil type: Granite

Analytical data: Alcohol (%) – 15.5; Total acidity (g/l) – 5.1; pH – 3.89; Total sugars (g/l) – 0.6

Energy value: 91 kcal/ml (382kJ/100ml)

Harvest: 2022 was one of the hottest and driest years on record across Western Europe. In Portugal, there was drought during the first 9 months, with 80% of the territory experiencing severe drought between May and August, followed by a contrasting episode of intense rainfall during the harvest, presenting viticulture with almost unknown challenges. During the dormant period, winter was balanced, although with low precipitation. Mild spring temperatures led to early budbreak and rapid vine development. Summer was extreme, with a lack of water, and was hit by several heatwaves in August, affecting the vines, with smaller berries and difficult, highly heterogeneous ripening. A year requiring attention to detail, patience and courage in the vineyard. The outlook at the end of the harvest was different, with balanced, high-quality ripening after the September rains, when the Syrah grape variety demonstrated its adaptation and quality in the Alentejo terroir.

Harvest: Hand-picked on 5 September. The grapes were cooled in a cold room (12ºC), followed by 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 grape 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 in order to preserve the grapes' quality potential as much as possible.

Ageing: 15 months in French oak barrels followed by 16 months in bottle in the cellars of the Cartuxa Monastery.

Recommended drinking period: 2025 to 2040

Serving temperature: 16ºC to 18ºC

Tasting note: Deeply concentrated in colour. Excellent aromatic complexity, with ripe fruit, blackberries and plum, along with subtle barrel notes, balsamic notes, a hint of chocolate and spices, very elegant. Powerful on the palate, with texture and concentration, great tannic structure, balanced acidity and enveloping fruit, dense and persistent. 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 (2022), subject to stock availability. If in doubt, please contact us before purchase to confirm.