The Rufete variety

Rufete is a variety present in the old vineyards of Douro, which fell into “oblivion” with the new plantations. The choice to plant this variety is the Roncão vineyards derived from the desire to produce new wines with old Douro varieties again. It’s a variety with difficult maturation and Roncão is the ideal place to improve maturation. It has been a fascinating experience to discover the potential of this variety, planted in a warm and sheltered place, resulting in a wine that is aromatically different from the traditional Rufete.

The Vineyards

This wine was produced with grapes that comes from a single vineyard from Quinta do Roncão near the Douro River. This vineyard faces east, which makes it perfect for an early harvest dedicated to this variety.

Vinification

Unlike recent years, 2021 was a fresh year in the Douro. In addition to the mild temperatures recorded, it was a dry year with good productivity. The precipitation recorded during the winter, as well as in April and June, compensated for the very dry months of March and May, allowing the normal development of the vine, without having water as a limiting factor. It was a year of freshness, elegance and naturally acidic wines. The whole bunches of Rufete are selected and placed in a small wine press and lightly crushed and trodden on. The most important thing in this winemaking process is the pre-fermentation maceration time period without much “work” and the beginning of the alcoholic fermentation, where the extraction is very long, but not intense.

Tasting Notes

Fresh red, very expressive in the aroma dominated by a profile diferente from the traditional Rufete, delicate in color. An intense and fresh mouth.