Description
Herdade do Peso comprises 457 hectares in Vidígueira, a sub-region of Alentejo, of which 160 hectares are planted under vine. Their vineyards sit against a backdrop of gently rolling hills and the new eco-friendly winery boasts an on-site reservoir and olive groves dating back to Roman times.
Despite its southerly location, Vidígueira is one of the cooler Alentejo sub-regions and benefits from Atlantic air funnelled inland by a gap in the coastal hills. Just eight hectares of the estate are planted with white grape varieties, as indigenous, red Portuguese varieties are favoured. Considerable work has gone into mapping the estate’s 12 different soil types and each variety is matched to its ideal plot. The limestone soils of the estate also lend elegance to the wines.
Herdade do Peso’s talented winemaker, Luís Cabral de Almeida, has a post-graduate degree from Australia’s Charles Sturt University and worked for many years in the Finca Flichman winery in Mendoza, Argentina. Named ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2024, by Portuguese wine magazine ‘Revista de Vinhos’, Luís is very involved in managing the Herdade do Peso vineyards and believes that “the oenologist’s primary role is to interpret nature”. The wines of Herdade do Peso reflect Vidígueira’s unique sense of place, being exuberant, ripe and generous, yet kept in balance by refreshing acidity.
The ‘Revelado’ blends Alicante Bouschet with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Aged for 12 months in French oak barriques, 10% of which were new, it boasts delicious, spiced berry flavours, a subtle earthiness and velvety tannins.
Deep ruby colour, this wine has appealing aromas of black cherries and black plums, with savoury hint of toast and clove and a subtle earthiness. On the palate it is full-bodied, with ripe and round tannins giving structure and an elegant acidity which carries the flavours onto the lingering finish.