THE WINES
My Wines
Reds
Casas Altas Touriga Nacional 2016
A wine that we believe is a fair tribute to the great varietal that gives the name to the wine - Touriga Nacional. We want to share with you our passion for the vineyards and wines, in particular for this Touriga Nacional monovarietal in our own style, at Beira Interior. It comes from a vineyard located at 700 meters of altitude. In poor granitic soils. Subjected to great thermal amplitudes, with very cold nights and hot and dry days. All this providing very particular and special conditions to the maturation of this varietal.
Winemaking
Manual harvesting using 20 kg boxes, made with the help of friends and locally recruited workers. Selection of the best grapes in the vineyard, complemented in the cellar. Total destemming, conduction of wine masses for stainless steel fermentation deposits, cold skin pre-maceration, inoculation of selected yeasts, followed by long and very careful fermentation and skin maceration under a controlled temperature.
Aging
Brief aging for several months in new French oak casks of the highest quality, followed by 20 long months of regular care in stainless steel tanks. Light filtration and bottling in July 2017. Minimum resting period of 6 months in bottle until market launch.
Tasting Notes
Ruby colored, concentrated. It preserves over time the typical floral scent of the varietal and elegant aromas of small black wild berries. Structured and voluminous with hints of spice, mint and balsamic flavours, providing a pleasant and fresh after taste. Perfect for drinking now but excellent for keeping. Very gastronomic wine, ideal to be served with red meat dishes, stews and cheese. Ideal service temperature between 16 to 18ºC.
Casas Altas Rufete 2017
Since immemorial times and until the advent of subsidies for grubbing up and new planting, Rufete was the most important variety in the Pinhel region. The variety provided good yield, resulting in light, fresh wines, light in colour and alcohol. We brought back this concept, and 25 years ago, we planted a vine with the extreme Rufete grape variety with selected clones, in granite sandy soils, on a hillside, at 600 meters high.
Winemaking
Total destemming, fermentation in conical stainless steel vats for two weeks under controlled temperatures.
Aging
After malolatic fermentation, the wine aged in old wood barrels until bottling in spring 2017, after light filtration with plate filters.
Tasting Notes
Slightly intense wine with a very elegant colour. Fresh with notes of ripe fruit. Ideal served from 13ºC to 16ºC. Pairs well with cheeses, white meats, fish and salads.
Quinta Vale do Ruivo Vinhas Velhas Reserve 2017
Authentic “terroir” wine obtained from old vines with 60 to 100+ years old. A mix of red varietals, the predominant ones being Rufete, Baga and Folha Figueira. The vinyard is located on a hillside at 650 meters above the sea level in poor granitic sandy soils.
Winemaking
Manual harvesting using 20 kg boxes, followed by carefull grape selection. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with controlled temperature, during 2 weeks.
Aging
After the malolatic fermentation, the wine aged in French oak barrels until bottling in spring 2017, after light filtration. 2 years rest in bottle.
Tasting Notes
Intense color, complex aroma of ripe fruit, with hints of rock rose, pine and dried grass. Smooth tannins and long finish. Suitable for keeping for several years. Ideal serving temperature of 16 to 18ºC. Pairs well with red meats, stews and roasts.
Whites
Casas Altas Verdelho Reserva do Doutor 2016
Wine specially selected by the producer, a doctor by profession, from the best parcels. The Doctor's Reserva is an enigmatic and unique white wine.
Winemaking
Manual harvesting using 20 kg boxes, with careful grape selection. Total destemming, soft pressing, where decanting occurs naturally along 48 hours. Fermentation made in stainless steel tanks at 16ºC with careful mixing of fine lees.
Aging
Aged till August in stainless steel tanks, with bottling after gluing and a light filtration.
Tasting Notes
Wine with a very delicate floral aroma, contrasting with the high minerality present in the mouth. Ideally served at 8ºC to 10ºC. Pairs well with fish and white meat dishes.
Casas Altas Riesling 2016
From a vineyard located 700 meters above the sea level, with poor granite soils, in a climate of great contrasts (very cold nights and hot, dry days) we obtain a unique expression from the German queen varietal - Riesling.
Winemaking
Manual harvesting using 20 kg boxes, with careful selection of grapes. Total destemming, soft pressing, where decanting occurs naturally during 48 hours. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 16ºC with careful mixing of fine lees.
Aging
Aged in stainless steel tanks until August. Bottled after gluing and a light filtration.
Tasting Notes
Delicate wine with citrus notes and light petroleum evolution notes characteristic of the varietal. Perfect mineral balance. Ideally served at 8ºC to 10ºC. Pairs perfectly with sushi dishes and carpaccio of octopus.
Casas Altas Chardonnay 2017
We want to share with you our passion for this Burgundy-styled Chardonnay, borned and raised in Beira Interior. Grapes from a vineyard located 700 meters above the sea level, on poor granitic soils, with with a climate of great contrasts (very cold nights and hot, dry days).
Winemaking
Manual harvesting using 20 kg boxes, with careful grape selection. Total destemming, soft pressing, where decanting occurs naturally during 48 hours. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 16ºC. Careful mixing of fine lees.
Aging
Aged in stainless steel tanks until August. Bottled after gluing and a light filtration.
Tasting Notes
Expressive wine on the palate, full-bodied, creamy with notes of ripe fruit. Long finish with excellent freshness. This is a cellar wine. Ideally served at 8ºC to 10ºC. Pairs beautifully with fish and cheese dishes.
Quinta Vale do Ruivo Vinhas Velhas 2017
Authentic “terroir” wine, with grapes from old vines ranging from 60 to more than 100 years old. A field blend of native white grape varieties, the predominant being Síria, Fonte Cal and Arinto. The vineyard is located on slopes at 650 meters high, in poor granitic sandy soils.
Winemaking
Manual harvesting using 20 kg boxes, with careful selection of grapes. Total destemming, soft pressing where decanting occurs naturally during 48 hours. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 16ºC. Careful mixing of fine lees.
Aging
Aged in stainless steel tanks until August. Bottled after gluing and a light filtration.
Tasting Notes
Citrus colour, floral aroma with an excellent minerality and freshness characteristic of the grapes varieties. Ideally served at 8ºC to 10ºC. Perfectly pairs with fish, seafood and white meats.
SUSTAINABLE VITICULTURE
Viticulture is done with total respect for the environment, without chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. However, in order to obtain high quality grapes, some interventions are made in the vineyard, such as green pruning, removal of secondary branches and topping.
