Vineyard and winemaking
The 2020 Grande Villae White is drawn from Encruzado, Bical and old-vine field fruit grown on Taboadella's granitic plateau at Silvã de Cima. The vines are farmed without irrigation in a transitional Dão climate, where surrounding mountains temper both Atlantic weather and continental extremes.
Whole grapes were harvested by hand and the wine matured for nine months in new 500-litre French oak barrels. Production was limited to 4,500 bottles, with the concentrated fruit and vivid natural acidity giving the wine the substance to carry its élevage.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Bright straw-gold with a clear, gently evolved hue.
Nose
Quince, white peach and lemon curd meet fennel, acacia, toasted almond and a fine granitic smokiness.
Palate
Firm and full-bodied, with a silky texture and remarkable linearity. Ripe orchard fruit and citrus oil are held by vibrant acidity, while oak brings creaminess and quiet spice rather than heaviness. The finish is long, mineral and exact. Serve cool and allow the wine to open in the glass.
Food pairing
Pair with roast turbot, butter-poached lobster, chicken with morels, or baked celeriac with hazelnut and sage. Its breadth and acidity also make it an excellent white for roast pork with crackling.
Background story
Grande Villae White is Taboadella's most ambitious white expression, built to show the Dão's ability to unite concentration with freshness. Its old-vine component and long oak maturation give it depth, while the estate's granite soils provide the wine's persistent mineral line.
The Amorim family acquired Taboadella and restored a historic estate whose connection with wine reaches back to Roman times. Its contemporary winery is integrated into the forested plateau and uses gravity to move grapes and wine with minimal handling.
