Herdade do Esporão is located in southern Portugal’s Alentejo’s region and the largest wine producer in the region. Esporão is also the region’s most widely distributed winery in the U.S. and a driving force behind the revitalization of Alentejo wine industry in the past 30 years. In 2019 they joined the ranks of the world’s largest producers of certified organic wines. And, their intent is to become the largest before too long.
2018 Esporão Colcheita Red ($18)
Colcheita Red wine is made solely from grapes grown at Herdade do Esporão, utilizing organic farming methods. It’s produced from five grape varietals - Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Franca. It is co-fermented at controlled temperatures (22 to 25ºC) and finished in concrete tanks. Following malolactic fermentation, aging took place in the same concrete tanks for six months.
This Colheita Red is ruby red in color with aromas of ripe black fruit, plums and cocoa, with touches of spice. On the palate it has a silky texture, where ripe fruit flavors dominate and includes mineral touches that lead to an easy finish.
2018 Esporão Reserva Red ($25)
It is produced from seven varietals - Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Syrah, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Franca. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel vats, concrete tanks and small marble basins and was followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. It then spent 12 months in American (60%) and French (40%) oak barrels. After bottling, the wine aged 8 months in the bottle.
Esporão Reserva Red is ruby red in color with aromas of black fruit jam with spices (black pepper, cloves) combined with notes of coffee berries and cigars. On the palate it is complex with notes of spices and dark chocolate and a long finish.
2020 Esporão Reserva White 2020 ($20)
This Reserva White from Esporão is produced from Antão Vaz, Arinto, and Roupeiro grapes. It underwent temperature-controlled fermentation with 70% of the batch in stainless steel tanks and the other 30% in new American and French oak barrels. It then spent six months in stainless steel tanks and in new American and French oak barrels, with aging on lees.
This wine is light straw in color with green hues. Aromas include grapefruit and white peach with subtle notes of mint, white pepper and nutmeg. On the palate it is creamy with balanced fruit and spices. It is intense in flavor and finishes strong.
2020 Esporão Colheita White ($18)
This Esporão Colheita White is produced from Antão Vaz, Viosinho grapes that were partially fermented in concrete tanks. After fermentation, the wine was left on lees for four months.
This wine is straw color with green hues. It has aromas of citrus, grapefruit, tropical fruit and notes of green leaf. On the palate it is slightly creamy in texture, balanced with a fresh, rich and persistent finish.
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Samples Provided by Herdade do Esporão via Creative Palate Communications