Reserva Tinto DOC Alentejo 2019

Vineyards

Produced in the Alentejo’s Serra do Mendro region, this wine draws from vineyards positioned across varied altitudes and soils, predominantly limestone and schist. With 24 micro-terroirs, the estate’s complex topography and sustainable practices contribute to a distinctive mineral and structural depth, highlighting the essence of Alentejo’s rugged terroir.

Winemaking

This blend of Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, and Trincadeira is crafted under the guidance of Jorge Alves and António Cavalheiro. The wine undergoes fermentation and is then aged in 3000-litre French oak vats for 12 months, balancing the native grape varieties’ natural fruit with subtle oak complexity.

Appearance

Intense ruby red with a clear, refined brilliance.

Nose

Elegant and layered, with red and black berry aromas alongside notes of dark chocolate, subtle spices, and earthy undertones.

Palate

A complex, full-bodied profile, revealing flavours of dark cherry, plum, and earthy minerality. Firm tannins and vibrant acidity carry through to a long, balanced finish, underpinned by hints of spice and oak.

Food pairing

Perfect with game dishes, roasted meats, and traditional Alentejo fare, enhancing the wine’s robust structure.

Background story

Herdade Aldeia de Cima is an expansive 1750-hectare estate located in Alentejo near Santana, Portugal, owned by the Amorim family. Integrating diverse landscapes—cork and holm oak forests, ancient olive groves, and vineyards—the estate follows sustainable agroforestry practices with a mission to restore biodiversity in the Serra do Mendro. This approach harmonises traditional methods with minimal intervention to protect Alentejo’s natural heritage and local ecosystem.

Situated at Serra do Mendro's highest point, the vineyards benefit from 34 distinct micro-terroirs that enhance the wine’s expression of native grape varieties. The estate’s vineyards, currently transitioning to organic production, are dedicated to Alentejo’s heritage, with native red and white varieties crafted into three wine ranges: Reserva, Garrafeira, and Myndru. Reserva highlights classic Alentejo elegance, Garrafeira offers structured, bottle-aged wines, while Myndru captures delicate aromatics from skeletal soils.

Each wine is released two years post-harvest to achieve full complexity, celebrating the region's winemaking tradition and commitment to environmental balance.