Vineyard and winemaking
Grande Villae Red comes from Taboadella's high granitic plateau at Silvã de Cima in the Dão. The 2019 blend combines Alfrocheiro, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, harvested by hand from integrated-farming vineyards whose altitude and sheltered position encourage slow, balanced ripening.
The fruit was fully destemmed by vibration and handled gently before the wine matured for 12 months in new 500-litre French oak barrels. Only 5,000 bottles were produced, giving the concentrated vintage time and space to absorb the oak while retaining its granite-driven energy.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep garnet-ruby with a dense, polished core.
Nose
Blackberry, black plum and dried cherry are layered with violet, eucalyptus, balsamic herbs and fine cedar.
Palate
Powerful but composed, with concentrated dark fruit, firm tannins and bright acidity shaped around a cool mineral centre. Cocoa, spice and forest-floor notes broaden the palate before a long, finely persistent finish. Stand upright before opening and give the wine time in a decanter after tasting.
Food pairing
Serve with roast beef and horseradish, venison loin, braised lamb shank or a mushroom and chestnut Wellington. Its firmness also suits mature Serra da Estrela or a well-aged Cheddar.
Background story
Grande Villae is Taboadella's heritage red, conceived to carry the memory of the estate's native grapes and granite soils into a modern, age-worthy wine. The estate's official description places equal weight on generosity, elegance and the vibrant energy of its high-altitude terroir.
Taboadella has a wine history stretching back more than 1,500 years, evidenced by a Roman-era press carved into rock. The Amorim family revived the 42-hectare estate with a gravity-flow winery designed by Carlos Castanheira and built from materials including wood and cork.
