Country: Portugal  Region: Alentejo  Vintage: 2017  Category: Red Wine  Color:  Red  Varietal: Northern Rhone style Producer: Azamor "Alison and Joaquin Luiz Gomes bought the Azamor estate in 1998 and planted their first vineyard in 2001. Known as the bread basket of Portugal, the Alentejo has staked a claim as one of the country's most important red wine regions and is renowned for its consistency of good quality, excellent value, fruit driven wines.Situated relatively far south, the Alentejo is known for its dry, hot summers, when the temperature can easily rise to 40-45°C. However, Azamor's 27 hectares of vineyards lie at 350 metres above sea level on low vigour, clay and schist slopes and are the most densely planted in the region. The resulting wines have an elegance, concentration and depth of flavour that is rare in the Alentejo.Azamor uses a mixture of local varieties, such as Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, alongside international ones such as Petit Verdot, Syrah and Merlot, to produce bold yet elegant red wines that are packed with juicy fruit and ripe tannins. The 2013 `Selected Vines` is an intriguing blend of 45% Syrah, 40% Touriga Nacional and 15% Alicante Bouchet. A selection of the best grapes from their vineyards, this is a stunning wine from Alentejo. The 2011 Petit Verdot was a winner in the Wine Merchant Top 100 2016 competition. This single varietal wine is well-structured with delicate fruit flavours and soft tannins." Winemaker: Alison Luiz-Gomes Vineyards: The Alentejo climate is known for its cold winters and hot summers. In the winter, the temperature can drop down to 0°C; in summer, it can rise to 43°C. Humidity ranges between 20% in the summer and 100% in the winter, with an average rainfall of 450mm per year. Vinification: All grape varieties were fermented in separate stainless steel 10 tonne tanks for up to 10 days at between 22ºC and 24ºC. The must was left on skins before being pressed and going through malolactic fermentation. The Azamor Selected Vines 2013 was aged for 12 months in 15% French and 15% American oak barrels. Tasting Notes: The 2017 Selected Vines is a smooth, rounded blend of fruity aromas with dense fruit and plummy flavours that give way to soft, velvety tannins on the finish. Food Suggestion: Great with a selection of cured meats and cheeses or with grilled pork loin. Closure: Natural Cork  ABV:14.5%   Acidity [g/l]: 5.8