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A Monthly Wine Club Selection
Plump and round with loads of blackberry, black plum and blueberry fruit with toasted notes and baking spices. The palate is gracefully balanced with a long, juicy finish and pleasantly gripping tannins.
Seven centuries of winemaking—the oldest written references to Quinta do Gradil are found in a royal document of King João II dated February 14, 1492, although the property is even older. In the 16th century, Quinta do Gradil was a royal hunting lodge, then in the 17th century, Quinta do Gradil became a farmhouse known for producing wines. In 1765, King José I began pulling out the vineyards in the region, instead cultivating various cereals; Quinta do Gradil however, was able to escape this fate due to a survey concluding the land far more suited to winegrowing. The Marquises of Pombal owned the Quinta through most of the 20th century, until it was sold to Isidoro Maria d'Oliveira in 1963. Hailing from a family of wine merchants, Luís Vieira learned all the tricks of the trade from his grandfather António Gomes Vieira, and in May 1999, he purchased Quinta do Gradil. Located in what is now the municipality of Cadaval, the property consists of two hundred hectares of which 120 are planted with vineyards.
The Geographical Indication (IG) Lisboa is an important Portuguese wine region located along the Atlantic coastline. Most prominently, it is the home to the nation’s capital, Lisbon. The climate is temperate, due to the influence of the Atlantic, with a mild summer. It is cooler and wetter closer to the ocean, warmer and drier in the areas shielded by the Serra de Montejunto hills. This multifaceted region encompasses several denominations of origin (DO) with distinct characteristics. The region’s most famous red wines come from Alenquer, which has a reputation for producing complex, full-bodied wines made from Touriga Nacional and Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo). Overall, more than thirty different grape varietals can be found in Lisboa, and although Portuguese grape varietals are favored, international varietals such as Cabernet and Merlot are also grown.
Crafted by winemaker Tiago Correia, Quinta do Gradil’s 1492 Tinto is a blend of 50% Tannat and 50% Touriga Nacional, fermented in stainless steel vats. 70% of the lot was aged in French oak barrels, resulting in a rich yet balanced and versatile wine.