Casal Figueira Vital Antonio Branco 2019
$57.00 inc. GST
The António is produced from very old vineyards of the Vital grape variety (autochthonous) from the North Atlantic Coast of Lisboa. The oldest vines grow in altitude, at the North side of Montejunto Mountain, at 350mt, where limestone soil, fresh climate and grape variety have been in perfect adequation for centuries. Practically unknown and underestimated, in 2008 this grape variety was almost extinct; its aleatory dense implantation on the limestone, and its proximity to the Atlantic coast provides an exceptionally complex, fresh and mineral character to the wines. The vines are grown in gobelet/vase shape, in non-mechanizable small plots aged between 70 and 100+ years old. All work on the vines is done manually by Marta and older generations from the local villages around the vineyards, who have a history of unparalleled knowledge of the Vital varietal due to their ancestral local agronomical practice.
Description
The grape growing and vinification production looking towards the recovery of old manual techniques; the grapes are picked and carried in small boxes (not larger than 15 kgs capacity), refrigerated during transport. Arriving at the winery, immediately emptied (manually) into an horizontal press Vaslin and gently pressed (7 -10 hours pressings), allowing the grapes to keep its wholeness without smashing, and allowing the extraction of the most qualitative juice. After 12h settling with temperature control, the juice is put into old french oak barrels where it starts fermenting spontaneously, with its indigenous yeast naturally present on the grapes. The wine ages during 8-10 months on its fine lees, with some bâtonnage. A light filtration during bottling. No chemical corrections whatsoever. Very low levels of sulphites are present.
Total Production: 3000 bottles of 750ml
Grape Variety:100%Vital – Alcohol volume: 12,5% – Soil: Limestone
Climatology: Tempered, close to the Atlantic Coast (20km)
Reviews / Ratings / Awards
Casal Figueira António Branco 2019
Posted on 22 September 2021. WINEFRONT: GARY WALSH
Vital. That’s the grape variety. Importer: QED
Lemon zest, sea spray, white flower, spicy, yellow fruit but not any sort of specific fruit. Fleshy but tight, a sherbet and sorbet thing, saline and mineral, long and quartz-y. As it warms up, it becomes more fruity. Very good.
Rated : 94 Points
Tasted : Sep21
Alcohol : 12.5%
Older Vintages
“Rich pear, quince, candied lemon peel and orange nuances with lingering, ripe, well integrated, pebbly acidity; terrific intensity and balance.” – 95 Points, Sarah Ahmed for Decanter Magazine. (2013 vintage)
“Six rocky, limestone 50 to 100-year-old Vital parcels at 250-400m on the Serra Montejunto produce a cool, lemony palate, saturated with crushed coriander and fennel seed, celery salt, flint and chalky oyster shell. Intensely lingering, thirst-slaking and profound, with great goût de terroir.” – 95 Points, Sarah Ahmed for Decanter Magazine. (2017 vintage)
