António Bernardino Paulo de Silva - Colares Chitas - Reserva Branco 2016
Price: $55.00
| Producer | António Bernardino Paulo de Silva |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Estremadura |
| Subregion | Colares |
| Varietal | Malvasia de Colares |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Sku | 000229 |
| ABV | 12.00% |
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Located outside of Lisbon, Colares is a Portuguese wine-producing region that is in danger of extinction. In the 1940’s, there were over 1,000 hectares of vineyards between the village of Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean; today, there are less than 20! Urbanization, which has steadily encroached upon the vineyards, and a lack of knowledgeable labor to handle these very delicate bush vines have contributed to Colares’ shrinking territory. Known for its sandy soils, Colares is home to some of the few own-rooted vineyards in all of Europe. It is also in these phylloxera-resistant soils that grow some of the oldest vines in all of Portugal. Today, there are only five producers who carry on the hard work of growing grapes and making wines in this unique and historic region.
One of the oldest and most famous wine-producing families in Colares is that of Chitas. Established in 1898 by Antonio da Silva Chitas in the picturesque village of Azenhas do Mar, the name Chitas soon became synonymous with outstanding quality and age-worthy wines that garnered popularity throughout the world. Today, the family continues the legacy of cellar-aged Ramisco ― the local red varietal ― and the white Malvasia wines in Colares. In their cozy cellar, the Chitas family has vintages going back to 1950’s, aging in perfect conditions.
The Chitas Branco is a singular and extraordinary wine made from 100% ungrafted Malvasia de Colares. Looking at the wine, you would never guess that it’s 12 years old: the color is still a healthy, vibrant lemon. The nose is lively and expressive with notes of ripe citrus and orchard fruits and a sublime herbal complexity. The palate is delicate but expressive, filled with crystalline mineral overtones and saline notes balanced perfectly by fine, elegant acidity. The wine is clean and precise, finishing with a wonderful complexity that is totally unique, individual and unlike anything else in the world.
