Scala Coeli White Encruzado 2023 – Vinho Regional Alentejano

Soil Type: Granitic

Analytical data: Alcohol (%): 13.5 | Total acidity (g/l tartaric acid): 5.9 | pH: 3.27 | Total sugars (g/l): 0.8

Energy value: 76 kcal/100ml (319 kJ/100ml)

Harvest: In addition to being dry, 2023 was an extremely challenging year, requiring highly interventionist viticulture. Although there were no major diseases, high mite pressure was felt. While much of Europe experienced intense heatwaves, Portugal saw the beginning of summer arrive more mildly. Low nighttime temperatures provided significant thermal ranges, allowing white varieties in general, as well as earlier-ripening red varieties, to undergo rapid, homogeneous and balanced ripening, preserving excellent levels of acidity. The intense heat in August made the end of the harvest more difficult, requiring greater patience and precision in the vineyard. Later-ripening varieties benefited from the cooler nights in October, with highly qualitative ripeness levels demonstrating the full expression of the severe and unique terroir of the Alentejo region.

Winemaking: Hand-harvested, with bunch selection, on August 22, 2023, followed by cooling the grapes to 12ºC. Automatic optical grape sorting, followed by pressing - with selection of the low-pressure must fraction for clarification (static clarification by gravity at low temperature). Fermentation exclusively in stainless steel tanks. No malolactic fermentation was carried out. All grape and must transfer processes were carried out by gravity, seeking maximum integrity of the raw material and its qualitative potential.

Ageing: In stainless steel tanks, for 12 months on fine lees, with periodic bâtonnage.

Recommended drinking period: 2025 to 2035

Serving temperature: 12 ºC

Tasting Note: Straw-green color. Delicate and restrained aroma, based on vegetal and floral notes, slightly citrusy, with white fruit, tea, some flint and phosphorus, and a good mineral presence, although subtle. The balance between the elegant fruit, with some creaminess from the fine lees, and firm acidity stands out, revealing very successful ripening of the Encruzado variety in the Alentejo.

Oenology: Pedro Baptista | Duarte Lopes

Note about the technical sheet and the harvest: This description is based on the latest technical sheet provided by the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation. The vintage offered for sale is the one indicated in the title and in the «Vintage» field (2023), subject to the stock available during the campaign. If in doubt, contact us before purchasing to confirm it.