Description

PRODUCER:
Herdade do Rocim is an estate located between Vidigueira and Cuba, in the Lower Alentejo. It comprises 120 hectares, 70 of which are made up of vineyards and 10 hectares of olive trees. Since its inception in 2000, Herdade do Rocim has invested heavily in the vineyards, replanting vines and introducing new varieties. They cultivate the vineyard sustainably and are associated with the Sustainable Program of the Alentejo Viticulture. They are pioneers in ‘amphora wines’, following the ancient traditions of vinification in pots known as ‘Talha’. The vineyard is cultivated manually and minimal intervention is used in the cellar, to produce fresh, elegant and mineral wines. In 2018, Herdade do Rocim was awarded Best Wine Producer by Revista de Vinhos.

VINEYARD:
Herdade do Rocim is associated with the Sustainable Program of the Alentejo Viticulture. This wine is made from organically grown grapes. The estate is situated on the Vidigueira fault, a 30-mile-long east-west-facing escarpment which rises to 420 metres. The fault significantly influences the climate, trapping the cool, humid Atlantic winds, so despite its southern location, it is one of the most temperate sub-regions in the Alentejo. These cooling and humid influences descend at night, creating diurnal temperature differences of 15°C, which extend the ripening period; with the warm days concentrating the flavours in the grapes, while balancing natural acidity is retained during the cool nights. The soils are of granitic and schistous origin. The vineyard is made up of older and younger vines; the latter are trained according to the Cordon Royat method. The fruit was manually harvested at optimal maturity.

WINEMAKING:
The Alicante Bouschet grapes were carefully selected to ensure the best quality fruit was vinified. Fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks. The wine was aged in concrete tanks without the influence of oak, to allow the freshness of the Vidigueira terroir and the purity of fruit to be fully expressed.

TASTING NOTE:
A deeply coloured and concentrated wine, with wonderful depth of dark berry fruit complemented by a characteristic eucalyptus note. Full-bodied, with vibrant freshness that beautifully balances the intensity of fruit.

GRAPES:
Alicante Bouschet 100%.