Text João Pedro de Carvalho | Translation Bruno Ferreira

In 1369 the Avillez family settled up in Portalegre, instituting several majorats. As of 1980, Jorge D’Avillez restructured the vineyards, but always respecting the region’s traditional grape varieties. The winemaking then began to be made in a new winery, at Quinta da Cabaça, and in consonance with modern technology. In 1990, with the oenology of José Maria da Fonseca’s company, the brands D’Avillez and Morgado do Reguengo were born. The Garrafeira were, for a decade, symbols of the region’s finest products, having its own rightful place among the very best of Portuguese wines.

The last of them was probably Garrafeira 2000, already far from its predecessors’ performance. The sale of Quinta da Cabaça to Adega Cooperative de Portalegre, in 2005, was the final stroke. The brand found itself on the limbo, arising now by the hands of Herdade dos Muachos and having no connections to its past whatsoever.

 

This D’Avillez Garrafeira 1995 is a true pearl, one of those breath-taking wines, showing us as to why Portalegre is considered a region having unique conditions for great wines production. This wine was born from 1.3 hectares of vineyard, planted in schist soil, a blend consisting of Trincadeira (50%), Aragonês (35%) and Tinta Francesa (15%). In the first few years after its release on the market, the wine showed itself compact and austere, tough, still quite enclosed and hidden. The years wisely perfected this diamond.

Freshness standing out, wrapping the whole set, very clean and at the same quality level, showing an enviable harmonization of aromas and flavours. Fine and delicate complexity, aromatic herbs, ripe fruit (cherry, strawberry). A slight hint of earthy and spiced liqueur. Conquering at every sip, a pure delight, deep and delicate, a fully fit and adult wine, toe to toe with the best products throughout the world.