Majestic Alentejo Alicante Bouschet - Wine & Spirits Magazine

Majestic Alentejo Alicante Bouschet


Herdade da Malhadinha Nova’s Alentejo Estate

Rita Andrade Soares and her family purchased the property for Herdade da Malhadinha Nova in 1998 and turned it into a small hotel and spa. Located in Albernôa, south of Beja in the lower Alentejo, it’s a working farm where they raise cattle and black pigs; they also tend olive groves and 86 acres of vines on schist soils, the first vineyards planted in 2001. Luís Duarte of Herdade dos Grous helped the family design the winery and determine what to plant; he continues to consult with Nuno Gonzalez, the winemaker on site. {image_1}In 2014, they decided to separate out their top selection of alicante bouschet for this wine, something they’ve done only twice before, in 2012 and 2008. The variety, when it hits, captures the Alentejo like no other, transforming the region’s sun and African winds into gracious, long-lived wines. In 2014, the season was more moderate than usual, allowing the variety to fully mature, creating a wine that’s massive, stony, meaty and as black as midnight. Stay with it and the power does not let up, even as the fruit develops layers of purple majesty, floral notes and blueberries, while the tannins’ earthy intensity shifts into silk. Patient cellaring, for a decade at least, will be richly rewarded.

Wine In-Motion, Newark, NJ

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Herdade da Malhadinha Nova 2014 Alentejano Menino António Alicante Bouschet

Every week, our editors highlight a wine that intrigued them in our blind panel tastings, expanding on their tasting note in this space. These are entirely editorial choices; there are no paid placements. Subscribers can also access the original tasting note by searching here.

Joshua Greene is the editor and publisher of Wine & Spirits magazine.


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