2017 Quinta da Falorca Garrafeira Old Vines

They are among the secret heroes of the international wine world: vintners such as the quality-seeking Carlos Figueiredo, who values his native Dão and the local terroir, but also produces world-class wines. In his wines, wine lovers will find the individuality that is often lost in times of increasing globalization of wine taste: authentic, traditionally prepared wines with a radiant regional character, made from indigenous grape varieties in a small edition.

The 2017 Garrafeira Quinta da Falorca Old Vines is the successor to the 96/100 points 2015 vintage and this wine is only made in the top years, as Falorca does with all their wines. The wine is a blend from 1 old vineyard of up to 40+ different grapes from centenary old vines, although about 60% is estimated to be Touriga Nacional. It has matured for 24 months in new French oak and has an alcohol content of 14%. The Wine Advocate (Parker) writes about this wine: ".......Refined and sensual, it touches all areas. It's so sexy and so floral in aromatics that it's a shame to drink it". Only made around 3300 bottles

The Garrafeira Quinta da Falorca Old Vines blend from old vines and feels very Burgundian. Silky and nicely structured. It is complex in taste and always shows a little bit of soil and stones that integrate with the fruit and oak which is super. It has a fantastic acidity which gives this wine great aging potential. Don't hesitate to drink it, but then decanting is necessary and open the bottle at least 1-2 hours in advance, but if you want to put it in the cellar for another 15 years or more, that's no problem either. If you compare it with the Noblesse Oblige, its beautiful brother or sister, this Garrafeira is a bit more powerful with just a little more wood, but like all Falorca wines, these are the absolute top and Grandcru from the Dao. The wine can best be compared with a nice solid red top Burgundy, but then this is only a fraction of the price.

Rustic Mediterranean stews, refined lamb dishes and grilled vegetables such as aubergine and zucchini go well with this wine.