2022
Caracol
The island of Porto Santo emerged 14 million years ago in the Atlantic Ocean and is geologically one of the oldest islands in the Portuguese archipelagos. It was also the first to be discovered by Zarco in 1418. The ancients said that this was where they came to pick the ripest grapes to make the wine that made these islands famous. Today there are less than 14 hectares left, cultivated by a handful of hardy people. On the neighboring island, they call the Porto Santenses "Prophets", an old nickname that has never made so much sense when you see these old vines, with their creeping vineyards, protected from the winds and sea air by crocheted walls or skillful reed structures.
Caracol is a traditional grape variety on the island of Porto Santo. There are various stories and myths about its potential origin, such as that it was a Mr. Caracol who brought it here and planted it. António Maçanita's insatiable curiosity led him to analyze the microsatellites, which show its enormous genetic proximity to the Listrão, differing by only one out of a total of 20, and it may have the same parent or be one of the other's parents. Regarding the name, research into old bibliography may also provide the reason for the name Caracol. Gaspar Frutuoso said in 1580: "There are many vineyards that give good grapes; many white snails are bred in them, so much so that, in parts, they cover the bunch of grapes so much that no berries appear".
The name refers to plots whose soils are pure limestone sands, from which grapes with a different level of complexity and concentration come. "Fazenda" is the local term for a place, small property, farm. "Sand" is the type of soil found on these farms, limestone sandstones that have accumulated over millions of years.
Variety: Caracol.
Vineyard management: Traditional creeping vineyards, close to the ground and protected from strong winds by reed beds or crochet walls.
Vineyard age: 40-80 years.
Soils: Limestone soils with a sandy loam texture and pH>8.5
12.5% Vol.
The grapes were harvested by hand and vinified for the first time on the island of Porto Santo. Tight selection in the vineyard, with some vines being harvested more than once, picking the ripest first and the rest in a second harvest. Direct pressing of the whole bunch into decanting tanks, with three fractions being separated, without any use of SO2 until the end of fermentation, in order to allow pre-oxidation of the must and fuller spontaneous fermentation. The musts fermented on their lees in 250L and 500L stainless steel vats and 228L barrels, where they were aged for a total of 11 months.
2,567 numbered 0.75L bottles released in August 2023.
Crystal clear straw yellow color. Intense nose, notes of citrus fruit, orange peel with some iodine and gunpowder. Fresh, textured, unctuous attack, concentration in the middle of the tasting, good freshness and persistence.
An Atlantic wine from limestone soils that calls for pairing with seafood such as scallops, clams, hard-shell clams, which in their preparation include warm flavours such as semi-fatty fish with some intensity.
Store at 6-8ºC to be drunk at 10ºC.
