2023 Quinta da Falorca Encruzado Reserva Blanco Magnum

The 2023 Quinta da Falorca Encruzado Reserva perfectly demonstrates why Encruzado is considered the great white grape of the Dão. This Portuguese white wine combines ripe fruit, refined oak influences, and striking minerality with the freshness so characteristic of the region's high-altitude granite soils. The result is a gastronomic white wine with depth, structure, and impressive aging potential, and it is not without reason that these wines are compared to a fine Burgundy from a cool vintage.

Quinta da Falorca and the Dão

Quinta da Falorca is located in Silgueiros, one of the most highly regarded sub-regions of the Dão. Here, the vineyards benefit from a combination of altitude, granite-rich soils, and a temperate climate characterized by large temperature differences between day and night. These conditions ensure slow ripening and an excellent balance between concentration and freshness.

The Figueiredo family has been among the region's leading producers for generations and focuses on authentic Dão wines in which terroir and grape variety take center stage. Encruzado plays a leading role in this and is often considered the white flagship of the region.

Vineyard and vinification

The grapes for this Reserva come from the Casa vineyard, situated at an altitude of approximately 435 meters with a favorable southern exposure. The soil consists of granite, a key characteristic of the best terroirs of the Dão.

The blend consists of 98% Encruzado and 2% Malvasia Fina. The grapes were harvested by hand in late August and fully destemmed before a slow fermentation followed in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation lasted 29 days at controlled temperatures between 10 and 16°C.

After fermentation, 80% of the wine matured in stainless steel to preserve freshness and aromatic precision. The remaining 20% was aged for five months in 225-liter French oak barrels, adding extra texture and complexity without dominating the character of the wine. This is a 1.5-liter magnum.

Scent, taste and style

The 2023 Encruzado Reserva presents a complex aromatic profile in which ripe yellow fruit is combined with subtle smoky nuances. Aromas of peach, yellow apple, and citrus are complemented by notes of chamomile, roasted nuts, and light wood influences.

On the palate, the wine immediately reveals its class. The structure is rich and concentrated without becoming heavy. The combination of ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and the characteristic minerality of the Dão results in a wine that possesses both power and elegance.

The subtle oak aging imparts extra depth and creaminess, while the granite soils provide tension and precision. The finish is long, lively, and slightly saline, making the wine particularly versatile for gastronomic pairings.

This style is reminiscent of the best white wines from Europe, in which minerality, texture, and refinement are more important than pronounced fruitiness.

Professional assessment

James Suckling awarded the 2023 Quinta da Falorca Encruzado Reserva 92 points . He praises the combination of smoky aromas, yellow fruit, roasted nuts, and chamomile, as well as the intense flavor concentration, mineral tension, and long finish.

FUN FACT: In the Attachment tab, you will find the official factsheet for this fine wine. We will automatically send it to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to pick it up, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" on the Checkout page. We are located almost next to the main road with ample parking. Click here for our address.

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