Antonio Madeira Vinhas Velhas Tinto 2020

Antonio Madeira Vinhas Velhas Tinto 2020

Antonio Madeira
$37.00

Grape: Baga, Jaen, Tinta Amarela
Vintage: 2020
Type: Red

This red field blend of baga, jaen, and tinta amarela comes from ancient vineyards in the granitic foothills of the Serra da Estrela mountains. Winemaker António Madeira focuses on traditional Dão viticulture, harvesting native varieties from plots aged up to one-hundred years old. Hand-picked grapes undergo gentle fermentation with native wild yeasts in open-top granite lagares for controlled extraction. Aged in neutral French oak barrels, it delivers an authentic regional signature.

It pours a translucent ruby color, opening with aromas of wild berries, black cherries, plums, and damp earth. On the palate, the medium-bodied framework balances concentrated red fruit flavors with a taut, mountain-driven acidity. Savory nuances of forest floor, pine resin, and a light floral lift develop as the wine breathes in the glass. Fine, integrated tannins provide a smooth structural grip across the mid-palate. It finishes dry, leaving a long, mineral-driven impression of wet stone.

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.