Antonio Madeira Os Granitos 2021

Antonio Madeira Os Granitos 2021

Antonio Madeira
$80.00

Grape: Baga, Jaen, Tinta Amarela
Vintage: 2021
Type: Red

This dry red wine is a field blend of baga, jaen, and tinta amarela from a single vineyard in Portugal's Dão region. Winemaker António Madeira conserves old-vine plots rooted in sandy granite soils at the foothills of the Serra da Estrela mountains. The hand-harvested grapes undergo a spontaneous fermentation with native wild yeasts in neutral open-top vats. Bypassing modern adjustments, it ages in used French oak to showcase a distinct granitic site expression.

It pours a clear ruby color with garnet reflections, opening with intense aromas of red currants, wild thyme, and a smoky reduction. A medium-bodied frame balances crunchy red fruit flavors with a taut, vertical acidity. Savory notes of pine forest, cracked black pepper, and wet granite build a layered mid-palate structure. Silky, fine-grained tannins provide a grip that never feels heavy or over-extracted. It finishes dry, leaving a clean mineral trace.

Winery

António Madeira works in the Serra da Estrela area of Portugal’s Dão, where granite soils, elevation and old mixed vineyards give the region a distinctive voice. Born in Paris to a family with roots in the Dão, he first made wine here in 2010 and moved back with his family in 2017. His small holdings are spread among villages near Santa Marinha, preserving more than 45 native grape varieties, often growing together in the same old parcels. Biodynamic farming and work with horses reflect his commitment to keeping this vineyard heritage alive.

The cellar approach is informed by growers such as Jules Chauvet, Henri Jayer, Anne-Claude Leflaive and Richard Leroy. Fermentations use indigenous yeasts, with restrained sulfur additions and aging chosen to support each wine. The Vinhas Velhas whites and reds form the core of the estate range, while individual selections explore particular vineyards. The wines combine the freshness of the mountains with the depth of old vines, placing substance and clarity ahead of a standardized varietal profile.