Vale da Capucha Matacaes Palhete 2023

Vale da Capucha Matacaes Palhete 2023 Natural/Organic light red wine based near Torres Vedras, about 8-10km from the Atlantic ocean in Portugal’s Lisboa region. The 13 hectare estate  is certified organic lying on kimmeridgian limestone and clay with a strong focus on low intervention winemaking.

Palhete is a traditional Portuguese style in which red and white grapes are co-fermented producing  a pale ruby wine with bright acidity and relatively low in tannin. The predominant grape is Arinto (white) with the red coming from Castelao. The white wine is “tinted” by fermenting it with the skins and pulp of the red grapes before ageing in stainless steel and bottling the following summer.

The wine is light bodied, crisp and vibrant and has notes of wild strawberries, cranberry, red cherry, fresh herbs with a subtle savoury edge and a certain salinity on the finish.

Vale da Capucha was started on the family property by Pedro Marques and his brother within the Torres Vedras DOC, 45 minutes northwest of Lisbon, and only 10 kilometres from the Atlantic.

The vineyards lie on slopes above the family estate on a vein of Kimmeridgian Limestone and enjoys a very temperate Atlantic climate, with cool breezes and lower night time temps. In essence, the region Torres Vedras resembles Muscadet more than Rioja and this has a huge influence on the wines.  

All the 13 hectares of vines are farmed organically and planted to local varieties.  Fermentations and cellar work is all natural and by hand and the results are compelling, delicious, profound and deep wines with great balance.  The Arinto is the most interesting and tasty example of this grape we have come across.  Often, it is grape made light and neutral as an alternative to the very successful Vinho Verde.  Here we have something completely different, 2019 vintage, 14.5% abv and a deeply satisfying wine for rich flavours, and serious drinking.