Taifa 2022

Taifa

2022

Quinta da Fonte Souto Taifa, which embodies the freshness, elegance and balance that derives from the vineyard’s altitude, and raises the bar of the fine white wine offering that Fonte Souto is so well placed to deliver. With Taifa, we pursue even more selective harvesting, favouring specific, mature vineyard plots and bring picking forward to ensure higher acidity. The term ‘Taifa’ refers to the numerous Muslim principalities and kingdoms that emerged in the Iberian Peninsula during the 11th century following the decline of the Córdoba Caliphate. What is now Portalegre, integrated one of the most extensive Taifas.

The 2022 viticultural year in Portalegre was marked by low rainfallin winter and spring and a succession of heat waves during July and August, which presented some challenges in managing hydric stress. However, the vines resistedthe extreme heat surprisingly well and the significant lowering oftemperatures through September favoured good maturations. The vintage started on August 16th with the Verdelho, followed by Arinto. Both showed excellent maturations and acidity, delivering wines with fresh and aromatically generousprofiles, reflecting the typicity of these varieties. Harvesting of the white grapes began in early September, following a period of rainwith Arinto once again showing how well adapted it is to the region’s natural conditions, preserving its freshness and goodacidity despite the high temperatures which persisted through the greater part of its ripening cycle. Generally, and the climatic challenges notwithstanding,the vintage went very well delivering balanced, very aromatically expressive wines, which reflect the altitude of Quinta da Fonte Souto.

The 207-hectare Quinta da Fonte Souto was acquired by the Symington family in 2017 and is their first vineyard outside the Douro. Lying on the slopes of the São Mamede Range at an altitude of 500 metres in the Alentejo sub-region of Portalegre, the property benefits from cooler and wetter conditions than the hot Alentejo plain. The Fonte Souto wines express the freshness and elegance provided by the altitude, as well as the structure and complexity from the estate’s extensive collection of mature, low-yielding vines.

Quinta da Fonte Souto

Taifa

Alentejo Wine

Alentejo DOC White

Alentejo DOC Super Prm White

Charles Symington, Pedro Correia and Ricardo Constantino.

Quinta da Fonte Souto, Portalegre

70% Arinto, 30% Verdelho

13.5 %

5.5 g/l (tartaric acid)

0.8 g/l

2023

11 months in 70% new oak and 30% second year oak, french and hungarian (500l).

0.3 g/l (acetic acid)

3.31

The hand-picked grapes are placed in small, shallow boxes and taken to the on-site winery. Manual sorting is followed by destemming and gentle crushing after which the grapes are transferred to a pneumatic press for a light pressing. Fermentation begins in stainless steel vats but immediately after alcoholic fermentation commences, part of the must is transferred to 500-litre French oak barrels (this higher capacity minimises the impact of the wood on the aromatic component). The must is left in contact with the lees with frequent bâtonnage (three times a week up to December, and twice a week during the spring) to encourage extraction of compounds that contribute complexity and structure and that balance very well with the good acidity provided by the altitude of the São Mamede Range.

Enticing freshness and aromatic amplitude with bright, pure fruit. Subtle touches of honey and vanilla are complemented by orange blossom. Superb subtlety, balance and elegance combine to give the aromatic range resonance and reach. On the palate, the tingling citrus notes entwine with apricot and yellow plum flavours, wrapped in a seductive and unctuous creamy texture. Nice depth and length with a mineral and saline sensation. Will develop magnificently in bottle for another 10 to 15 years.

Ready for drinking now although the wine will continue to develop very well in bottle for several years and fulfill all its potential.

Contains sulphites.

Yes

Yes

Chardonnay Glass

77 kcal / 100 ml