Herdade do Esporão
The Esporão Private Selection white was launched in 2001, under the name “Garrafeira.” The desire to create a distinctive white wine that challenges the classic profile of the great wines from Alentejo led winemaker David Baverstock to bring the Sémillon grape from Australia to our Herdade dos Perdigões. This French-origin grape is iconic in the Barossa Valley region of Australia, where it thrives in a climate similar to that of Alentejo.
Planted in granite, clay, and deep soils, the grapes from the Palmeiras vineyard have adapted well to our soils and the Alentejo heat. It is from this vineyard that the Private Selection Branco is born.
Every year, we invite an artist to illustrate our labels, merging the Portuguese culture of wine production with art. In 2021, the label was created by Abel Mota.
Winemaking: The grapes arrive at the winery in the morning when the temperature is cooler and are placed in the pneumatic press. The pressing cycles are long and at low pressure, allowing for gentle and careful extractions. The decantation of the resulting must is shorter than usual, contributing to the wine’s body and complexity. Fermentation occurs in 500-liter French oak barrels, in a temperature-controlled cellar at 18ºC.
Aging: About 6 months in French oak barrels, on the fermentation lees, accompanied by a periodic bâtonnage process. This manual process helps stabilize the wine, increasing its creaminess and depth. After bottling, it ages for 6 months in our cellars, enhancing the characteristic complexity of this wine.
Winemakers: Sandra Alves and João Ramos.
Awards
95 pts TOP 100 | 2018 – Wine Enthusiast
93 pts | 2020, 2019 – Wine Enthusiast
92 pts | 2017 | 2009 – Wine Enthusiast
91 pts | 2015 | 2014 | 2008 – Wine Enthusiast
91 pontos/Year’s Best Portuguese White, Wine & Spirits
Allergens information
Contains sulphites.
SKU: 101132
