Wine Concept

This wine was created in 2001 with the intent to challenge the classic profile of great Alentejo wines. The maturity of the vineyard, the underestimated Semillon grape variety and the careful selection of barrel suppliers, have enabled us to build this wine’s solid, rich and complex character.

Photograph on the label by António Poppe.

Awards

2018 | 95 points (Editors’ Choice), Wine Enthusiast

2017 | 92 points, Wine Enthusiast

2016 | Best White Wine 2018, Concurso Vinhos de Portugal
2016 | 91 points, Wine Enthusiast

2015 | 91 points, Wine Enthusiast
2015 | 91 points, Wine Advocate
2015 | 91 points, Wine Spectator;
2015 | 91 points/Year’s Best Portuguese White, Wine & Spirits

Agriculture

After a dry and cold winter, an early rainy spring followed restoring soil moisture levels suitable for the beginning of the vegetative cycle. The fact that spring temperatures and even mid-summer temperatures were milder than in previous years led to a delay of the cycle but allowed for good plant development. In early August, a heatwave of five consecutive days, with temperatures exceeding 43 degrees and accompanied by strong gusts of wind, caused severe damage in varieties more sensitive to this type of conditions, leading to production losses. However, in most of our vineyards, where grape varieties are better adapted to these events, maturation occurred slowly and regularly thus preserving the freshness and aromatic intensity of white wines and the texture, concentration and complexity of red wines.

Grapes from the Palmeiras vineyard at Herdade dos Perdigões, one of Esporão’s properties. Northwest and southwest exposure, protecting the grapes during the hottest times of day.

SOIL TYPE
Predominantly clay, deep and well drained, ideal for balanced production, aromatic development and to preserve freshness.

VINEYARD AGE
23 years.

Grape Varieties

Semillon

Vinification / Maturation

The grapes were delivered to the winery in the morning, when temperatures are at their lowest, and were placed in the pneumatic press. Long pressing cycles at low pressure enabled careful extraction for a rich must. Decanting was shorter than usual, which helped maintain the complexity of the medium. Fermentation took place in new French oak barrels (550 liters) in a temperature-controlled cellar (18ºC).

On the lees with batonnage to provide better oak integration in the wine, thereby reinforcing the creamy texture and depth. After bottling, the wine aged 6 months in the bottle, ensuring controlled maturation and giving the wine the complexity that characterizes it.

More Information

Private Selection Red:

Over time, we have been expanding the knowledge about our land in Alentejo. We have a better understanding of its potential and make the most of the uniqueness of the vineyards to produce fine wines, at nature’s pace.

That knowledge takes shape in Private Selection, through a combination of select parcels from the different territories, along with separate vinification and ageing, according to each variety’s profile. This is a full-bodied wine, with texture, intensity, and vitality, that reflects the diversity and richness of Esporão’s territories in Alentejo and, in exceptional years, results in Torre do Esporão.

Private Selection White:

Esporão Private Selection white was launched in 2001 under the name “Garrafeira”. The desire to make a distinctive white wine that would challenge the classic profile of the great wines of the Alentejo, led winemaker David Baverstock to bring the Sémillon grape variety from Australia to our Herdade dos Perdigões estate. This French origin grape variety is iconic in the Barrosa Valley region of Australia, where it grows in a climate similar to that of the Alentejo.

Planted in granitic soils, clayey and deep, the Palmeiras vineyard has adapted well to our soils and the Alentejo heat. It is from this vineyard that the Private Selection White was born.

Every year we invite a new artist to illustrate our labels, and every piece of artwork has its own individual story to tell.

Wine Makers

David Baverstock & Sandra Alves

Colour

Clear, straw color.

Aroma

Apricot and lemon peel confit, mixed with notes of cloves, nutmeg and some white chocolate.

Palate

Wide and rich, with predominant stone fruit punctuated with notes of white pepper. Unctuous, with a long and elegant finish.

Sizes

750 ml

Bottling

July 2019

Alcohol/Volume

14.0 %

Total Acidity

6.19 g/l

pH

3.23

Reducing Sugar / Baumé

2.8 g/l