2016 Quinta da Falorca Colheita Seleccionada

The 2016 Quinta da Falorca Colheita Seleccionada is a beautifully crafted Dão red that showcases just how refined and characterful Portuguese wines can be. Made in very limited quantities from old vines and native grape varieties, it combines elegance, freshness and depth in a distinctly regional style. This cuvée reflects Quinta da Falorca’s philosophy: sustainable viticulture, meticulous selection and a strong commitment to expressing the unique terroir of Dão DOC.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2016 Colheita Seleccionada shows a vibrant ruby-red colour with youthful highlights that hint at its energy and longevity. The nose is lifted and expressive, offering a lively bouquet of red fruits such as wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry, supported by subtle floral tones and a measured spice from its time in French oak. Gentle hints of dried herbs, pepper and a touch of cedar add complexity without overwhelming the fruit. On the palate, this is a modern yet classically balanced Dão red: medium-bodied with a modest 13% alcohol, it feels nimble and graceful rather than heavy. Juicy red berry flavours intertwine with notes of plum, baking spice and a faint earthiness, all framed by fresh acidity (total acidity 5.73 g/dm³) that keeps the wine precise and lively. The tannins are fine, soft and silky, lending structure without harshness, and the very low residual sugar (1.1 g/L) underlines the dry, elegant finish. Already attractive and harmonious now, the wine has the concentration and balance to evolve beautifully over the next decade, gaining further complexity while retaining its finesse.

Production
Quinta da Falorca’s vineyards for this cuvée lie on a south-facing slope at around 450 metres above sea level in the Dão DOC, a region known for its granitic soils, cool nights and long growing season that favour elegance and aromatic intensity. Farmed sustainably, the vines—many over 40 years old—yield naturally low quantities of highly concentrated fruit. The 2016 Colheita Seleccionada is a blend of 70% Touriga Nacional, 20% Alfrocheiro and 10% Rufete, all hand-harvested to ensure optimal ripeness and careful selection. After picking, the grapes were destemmed, gently crushed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to preserve purity and freshness of fruit. The wine was then aged for 8 months in second-year French oak barrels, lending subtle spice and texture, before being returned to stainless steel to integrate and refine. Only 6,664 bottles were produced, and the wine was bottled in July 2021, after extended maturation in Falorca’s cellars.

Food & Serving
This elegant Dão red is highly versatile at the table and particularly well-suited to flavourful yet not overly heavy dishes. It pairs beautifully with roast poultry, herb-crusted lamb, grilled pork tenderloin, charcuterie, and traditional Portuguese fare such as roasted cod (bacalhau), sausage dishes and slow-cooked stews. Its bright acidity and refined tannins also complement mushroom-based dishes, roasted root vegetables and aged semi-hard cheeses. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and freshness. A brief decant of 30–60 minutes can help open up the bouquet and soften the tannins further, especially in its youth, but prolonged decanting is not necessary given the wine’s already harmonious profile.

Producer
Quinta da Falorca is widely regarded as one of the finest estates in Portugal’s Dão region, often cited as a benchmark for what this historic appellation can achieve. Under the guidance of quality-driven grower Carlos Figueiredo, the estate focuses on native grape varieties and traditional methods, producing authentic, terroir-driven wines in small quantities. Their old-vine Touriga Nacional—sourced from 31 different clones in vineyards over 40 years of age—has earned them a reputation among insiders as one of the region’s “hidden heroes.” By combining meticulous vineyard work, sustainable practices and carefully judged use of oak, Quinta da Falorca has become a reference point in Dão, regularly attracting critical acclaim for wines that marry regional character with world-class precision and elegance.

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