V Puro "Doravante" Bairrada Tinto '19

V Puro (puro is the Portuguese word for pure) is the passion project of Nuno Mira do Ó and João Soares, who are not only enologists and viticulturists but also longtime friends. They are passionate about finding and working with old vines, particularly old vine Baga, of which they found an ancient vineyard in Bairrada, with vines between 80 to 120 years old. The Atlantic influence in the Mediterranean climate they work in, combined with clay and limestone soils and the native varieties they work with, allows them to create special wines of place.

“Doravante” is a 50-50 blend of Baga and Touriga Nacional, coplanted in the same vineyard. The grapes were harvested on the same day and cofermented in an oak vat, where the wine then aged for 10 months. The goal was to express the delicate sides of these two Portuguese varieties through a long, gentle period of skin contact, lasting about one month. Bottled in September 2018.

The wine shows delicate fruit and Atlantic character, with notes of cherry, pepper, and tobacco, and a hint of wet clay. An herbal freshness emerges on the palate, with very fine tannins and a long finish.