Ilustres Desconhecidos BG 2022

Ilustres Desconhecidos BG

2022

Ilustres Desconhecidos is a collection of singular and expressive wines brought to life by the creativity and skill of our winemakers.

The grapes for this wine come from the Quinta Nova do Carrascal vineyard, located within the Symington Family Estates vineyard holdings in the Vilariça Valley, closer to Ataíde.

Acquired by the Symington family in 2022, the vineyard is planted with the Baga variety, alongside the two dominant varieties Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, as well as Tinto Cão and Sousão.

A less common variety in the Douro, Baga is better known as being typical of the Demarcated Region of Bairrada, where it contributes both to the production of sparkling wines and to premium red wines.

The three months leading up to the vintage were among the hottest and driest ever recorded in the Douro, with a succession of heatwaves, unprecedented in their scope and duration. We had — until the end of August — 70% less rainfall than the 30-year average and the soils were visibly parched. However, it was quite extraordinary just how well the vines were looking with few vineyards showing signs of hydric stress - a testament to their resilience and adaptability to harsh conditions. September brought a considerable drop in temperatures both by day and by night, and the importance of this cannot be overstated, easing the strain on the vines, and providing propitious conditions for maturations to progress. It is incredible that the Douro has come through such trying conditions, delivering wines at a level of quality that many would not have believed possible at the start of the vintage.

Originals

465 g

Ilustres Desconhecidos

Ilustres Desconhecidos

Douro Wine

Douro Wine

Douro DOC Baga PRM Red

Charles Symington, Pedro Correia and Hugo Almeida coordinating the Symington DOC Douro winemaking team.

Quinta Nova do Carrascal, Vale da Vilariça, Ataíde

100% Baga

13 %

6 g/l (tartaric acid)

2024

After malolactic fermentation, the wine underwent its subsequent ageing (élevage), mostly in second-year 225-litre barrels, after which it was bottled on 30 August 2024. This resulted in a production of 421 bottles of 75 cl, in which the wine continued to evolve until the beginning of its commercial release in 2026.

0.6 g/l (acetic acid)

3.67

In this first harvest, around 1,000 kg of grapes were received at the winery, harvested on 10 September. Following a traditional winemaking approach adapted to a very small scale, the grapes were fermented in a 2,000-litre vat, using cap submersion as the main method to optimise extraction and fermentative maceration.

At the end of fermentation, we decided to extend skin contact for a few more days, in order to assess whether it would be possible, in the Douro, to produce a Baga red wine with ageing potential, and how the performance of the variety would compare with our traditional Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca.

Delicate, floral aromas introduce notes of pomegranate, red plum and hints of sandalwood that convey an attractive smoky undercurrent testifying to seamless barrel integration. First impressions on the attractive mouthfeel are of lively tannins, typically Baga, paving the way for forest fruit and plummy flavours, ending with tobacco and herbal notes.

Ready for immediate enjoyment.

This is a highly gastronomic wine, with excellent acidity balance and a body and structure that allow it to pair well with game dishes and other slow-cooked or oven-roasted meats.

Contains sulphites.

Yes

Yes

77 Kcal/100ml

1.0 g/100ml