Cortes de Cima

Syrah

In 1991, we were the first ones to plant Syrah in the Alentejo, choosing rootstock from southern Rhone clones. Today, our range consists of 3 different 100% Syrah varietals. Starting with the entry level is our popular ‘Cortes de Cima Syrah’, which is bottled every vintage. Next, we move up a notch both in concentration and quality, to the mid-level range – ‘Homenagem a Hans Christian Andersen’, bottled in most vintages. We culminate at the top, with our reserve quality labeling, the iconic ‘Incógnito’, only bottled in exceptional years.

Current Vintage: 2011

Click here for PDFs of past vintages: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008,2009, 2010,2011

Vintage 2011

Harvest 2011, our 16th harvest. Another record winter rainfall. Record tropical heat in May. Record early start to harvest. Superlative summer and harvest weather. Harvest quantity – up. Harvest quality – above average.

Vinification

Made exclusively from selected Syrah grapes hand picked at optimum maturity from chosen sites in our own vineyards. Fermented without stems under temperature control, frequent delestage, followed by extended skin maceration to enhance varietal fruit characters, and to provide tannin structure and balance. Aged for 8 months in French and American oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

Intense red berry fruit aromas, with notes of vanilla and licorice. A solid palate with a core of focused raspberry and cherry fruit, finishing with good acidity.

Appellation:

Vinho Regional Alentejano

Varieties:

100% Syrah

Total Acids:

6.8

Final pH:

3.64

Residual Sugars:

3.1

Alcohol:

14 %

Barrel aging:

8 months in French and American oak

Grown, produced and bottled at the family estate.

 

Bottled unfined and filtered in:

July 2012

Total Bottles Produced:

50.200 bottles (75 cl)

Release date:

January 2013

Awards

Silver Medal

- Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – London 2013

Track Record

2010 Vintage

- Silver Medal – International Wine Challenge – London 2012

2009 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2012

2008 Vintage

- Gold Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2011

2007 Vintage

- 90 – Wine Enthusiast “Editors Choice”

2007 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Concours Mondial Bruxelles – 2009

2007 Vintage

- Silver Medal – International Wine Challenge – London 2010

2007 Vintage

- Silver Medal (BEST IN CLASS) – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2009

2007 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Challenge Intl. du Vin – Bordeaux 2010

2005 Vintage

- Gold Medal – Vinalies Internationales – France 2009

2005 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2008

2005 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Mundus Vini – Germany 2008

2004 Vintage

- Silver Medal (BEST IN CLASS) – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2007

2004 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Mundus Vini – Germany 2006

2004 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Concours Mondial du Vin – Bruxelles 2006

2003 Vintage

- Gold Medal – Mundus Vini

2003 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Vinalies Internationales

2003 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition

2003 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Concours Mondial du Vin

2003 Vintage

- Silver Medal – S.F. Intl Wine Competition

2002 Vintage

- Silver Medal – S.F. Intl Wine Competition – California 2004

2002 Vintage

- Silver Medal – International Wine Challenge – London 2004

2002 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Vinalies Internationales – France 2004

2001 Vintage

- Silver Medal – Challenge Intl. du Vin, Bordeaux 2003