{"product_id":"herdade-do-esporao-ab-alicante-bouschet","title":"Herdade do Esporao 'AB' Alicante Bouschet 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"pipProdProReviews_rating\"\u003eThis wine is packed in 3 pack OWCs (special wood cases) but can be purchased as a single bottle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(180, 4, 4);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"pipProdProReviews_rating\"\u003e93 pts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"pipProdProReviews_name\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(180, 4, 4);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eCelebrating the natural richness of powerful Alicante Bouschet, this wine is dense and concentrated. Its juicy black fruits are impressive and show fine maturity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(194, 5, 5);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"pipProdProReviews_rating\"\u003e93 pts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"pipProdProReviews_name\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(194, 5, 5);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine \u0026amp; Spirits\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eRemarkably fresh for a 2015, this wine holds a lasting cool, as if inured to the hot African winds that blast across the Alentejo plain. The fruit has raspberry brightness, concentrated dark-cherry depths and umami richness. For a steak seared black and blue.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eTechnical Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVariety:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 100% Alicante Bouschet\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hand-picked\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFermentation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in small concrete tulip tanks\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eÉlevage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e One year in French oak—30% in 5,000-liter foudres and 70% in 550-liter barrels—followed by at least two years in bottle\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBottled:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e July 2017\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eABV:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e 14.5%  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTotal acidity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.6 g\/L  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 3.54\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinemakers:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e David Baverstock and Sandra Alves\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fruit came from three distinct vineyards:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVinha dos Andorinhos, Herdade do Esporão:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vines over 15 years old planted on schist-derived sandy-loam soils\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVinha das Palmeiras, Herdade dos Perdigões:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vines over 25 years old on deep, well-drained granite and clay soils\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVinha do Machuguinho, Portalegre:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vines over 15 years old at approximately 400 meters, planted on granite-derived sandy-loam soils\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe warmer Reguengos de Monsaraz sources provide the wine’s depth, concentration and texture, while the higher-altitude Portalegre vineyard contributes freshness and energy. The winery describes 2015 as dry and warm but without damaging heat extremes, producing intensely aromatic, persistent fruit. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcidity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Medium\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTannin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Medium-plus to high, now becoming more polished with bottle age\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eServing temperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 60–65°F\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecanting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 45–60 minutes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrinking window:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Now–2032, assuming sound storage\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFood pairings:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Grilled ribeye, lamb shoulder, short ribs, venison, smoked meats or aged hard cheeses\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur Take\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlicante Bouschet can sometimes be all color, weight and power, but this is a much more complete and compelling expression of the grape. The 2015 is deeply colored and still youthful in appearance, with concentrated black plum, dark cherry and blackberry joined by dark chocolate, cracked pepper, leather and a savory, almost meaty undertone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe palate is full-bodied and powerful, but it is not heavy or clumsy. There is enough acidity—helped by the higher-altitude Portalegre fruit—to give the wine energy and keep its dense, dark fruit moving. The tannins remain substantial, although a decade of bottle age has softened their edges and allowed the fruit, oak and developing savory notes to come together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is entering a very good stage of maturity now: still rich and fruit-driven, but beginning to show the leather, earth, spice and umami complexity that only comes with bottle age. Give it some air and serve it with a well-seared steak or slow-roasted lamb. For anyone unfamiliar with serious Alicante Bouschet, this is a convincing example of how structured, complex and age-worthy the variety can be.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alentejo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50516272939142,"sku":"3K-Esporao-AB","price":52.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0075\/0338\/0543\/files\/2015HerdadedoEsporao_AB_AlicanteBouschet_8cd190de-3ae6-4c31-85f7-074f1e7877b9.png?v=1790254430","url":"https:\/\/www.winesolutions.com\/products\/herdade-do-esporao-ab-alicante-bouschet","provider":"Wine Solutions","version":"1.0","type":"link"}