♦GRAND NOIR 2020♦
DOMINGOS SOARES FRANCO PRIVATE COLLECTION
V.R. ALENTEJANO
Domingos Soares Franco is the younger brother in the sixth generation of the family that has run José Maria da Fonseca since its foundation in 1834. As both Vice-President and senior winemaker of the company Domingos has become a prominent figure in the field of Portuguese winegrowing. This status is not derived solely from his connection to this prestigious Vila Nogueira de Azeitão company. It is also from the fact that Domingos was the first Portuguese to graduate in Fermentation Sciences from the University of California in Davis, USA. This achievement is important in the influence it has had on his view of vines and wines: although intending to maintain the distinctive features of Portuguese wines he is constantly looking to the future, seeking innovation wherever possible. Although all José Maria da Fonseca’s wines are of his making, some are particularly special to him. Labelled “Domingos Soares Franco Private Collection”, these are all varietal wines.
♦ REGION ♦
ALENTEJO
♦ VINEYARD AREA ♦
3
SANDY SOIL
♦ PRODUCTION ♦
6,200
WINE PRODUCTION
♦ BOTTLING ♦
2021
DECEMBER
♦ GRAPE VARIETIES ♦
100
GRAND NOIR
♦ ANALYSES ♦
15.0
ALCOHOL
5.5
TOTAL ACIDITY
(TARTARIC ACID)
3.73
pH
♦ STORAGE ♦
12º
TEMPERATURE
60
HUMIDITY
♦ SHELF LIFE ♦
15 YEARS
AFTER BOTTLING
♦ TASTING NOTES ♦
COLOR
Deep red with some brownish tints.
AROMA
Dark chocolate, guava and cedar
PALATE
Dark chocolate, guava and plum. Very well-balanced.
FINISH
Long.
♦ VINIFICATION ♦
The grapes were fermented in stainless steel “lagares” at a temperature of 28ºC for 10 days, and bottled after 8 months without being filtered or cold stabilized. No oak used.
♦ SERVING SUGGESTIONS ♦
Should be served with game and cheese at a temperature of 16ºC.
