Chocapalha Castelão
Wine Description
Castelão, one of Portugal's most famed and widely planted varieties, is known for its beautiful, fruit character. Quinta de Chocapalha's interpretation of this varietal is a stunning example. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak for 12 months, this Castelão retains its fresh fruit essence long after its 6 month of refinement in bottle.
Acclaim
Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Quinta de Chocapalha
Vineyard size
25 acres
Soil composition
Calcareous and Clay
Training method
Guyot
Elevation:
660 feet
Vines/acre:
1600
Yield/acre:
2 tons
Exposure:
South-North and East-West
Harvest time:
third week in September
Bottles produced of this wine:
4,000
Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
10
Varietal composition:
100% Castelão
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
10 days
Fermentation temperature:
79 °F
Maceration technique:
Pumpovers
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barrels
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
12 months
Age of Aging Container:
Two years
Length of bottle aging:
6 months
Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
4.9 g/L
Alcohol:
13 %
Residual sugar:
0.6 g/L
Wine Production
The grapes, which are previously de-stemmed, go through a pre-fermentation maceration at low temperatures for 12 hours. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks for 12 days, not exceeding 25ºC. The aging and malolactic fermentation occurred 50% for 14 months in used French oak barriques.