Espera Touriga Nacional 2021
£24.71

Rodrigo Martins

Espera Touriga Nacional 2021

Country: Portugal
Region: Alcobaça 
Grape: Touriga Nacional
Colour: Red
Bottle Size: 75cl 
Bottle Weight: 1150g
Alcohol:  13.5%
Vintage: 2021

Espera translates as ‘wait’ in English, and is a word that Rodrigo Martins uses as the basis of his winemaking philosophy. It is a word that he uses to connect his vineyards and wines to nature. Rodrigo works with organically farmed vineyards in the Alcobaça region just North of Lisbon. The 5 hectares are planted with indigenous grape varieties including, and beyond, the well-known Touriga Nacional. Rodrigo has no set elevage for his cuvées, preferring to treat each vintage as its own, giving more or less time as the wine needs. This way he believes that the wines best represent the vintage.

Alcobaça is famous for its large population of Cistercian monks, who have been making wine for many generations. Rodrigo looks to their historical winemaking practises to influence his own winemaking. These wines are a true insight into the terroir of Alcobaça and the history which defines the region.

Natural fermentation, over 18 days, takes place in large VATS before being moved to old French oak (700l) for 24 months. Like a lot of Rodrigo’s other parcels, this is from an east facing vineyard chosen as a cooler climate spot to maintain the freshness and acidity in the wines.

PRODUCER NOTES

Espera translates as ‘wait’ in English, and is a word that Rodrigo Martins uses as the basis of his winemaking philosophy. It is a word that he uses to connect his vineyards and wines to nature. Rodrigo works with organically farmed vineyards in the Alcobaça region just North of Lisbon. The 5 hectares are planted with indigenous grape varieties including, and beyond, the well-known Touriga Nacional. Rodrigo has no set elevage for his cuvées, preferring to treat each vintage as its own, giving more or less time as the wine needs. This way he believes that the wines best represent the vintage.

Alcobaça is famous for its large population of Cistercian monks, who have been making wine for many generations. Rodrigo looks to their historical winemaking practises to influence his own winemaking. These wines are a true insight into the terroir of Alcobaça and the history which defines the region.

FARMING & WINEMAKING NOTES

Natural fermentation, over 18 days, takes place in large VATS before being moved to old French oak (700l) for 24 months. Like a lot of Rodrigo’s other parcels, this is from an east facing vineyard chosen as a cooler climate spot to maintain the freshness and acidity in the wines.