Hans Christian Andersen

Facts

A special commemorative 100% Syrah launched for the bicentennial of the Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Elegant with a soft, long finish.  In 1866 HC Andersen visited Portugal, which he referred to as ‘the earthly paradise’. During his 3 month stay, he found inspiration for many stories, one of which ‘The Toad’ (original title – Skrubtudsen) has been incorporated into our label.

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: 2009

Buy it on our online shop when available

Click here to download past vintages: 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009

Vintage 2009

Winter and spring were cold and wet, resulting in delayed budbreak, uneven pollination, fewer bunches and smaller berries, in especially the Aragonez and Touriga Nacional. Summer was kick started with a mini-hot spell in June, but followed by 2 steady months of dry, warm days and cool nights, optimal growing conditions.

With the exception of a short rainy spell which quickly passed, the harvest weather was the finest in memory, of dry, warm sunny days, affording us the luxury of fine tuning the harvest tempo according to the ripeness of a particular grape variety, a particular vineyard parcel, and even a particular row of vines.

Vinification

Made exclusively from selected Syrah grapes handpicked 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 7 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

This wine shows spicy raspberry type fruit with toasty oak aromas. Elegant and tightly structured, with a nice balanced acidity, and a soft, smooth and long finish. Drinks well now, and will improve in the bottle for the next 3-5 years.

Appellation: Vinho regional Alentejano

Varieties: 100% Syrah

Total Acids: 6.2

Final pH: 3.42

Residual Sugars: 3.6

Alcohol: 14%

Barrel Ageing: 7 months in French oak

Grown, produced and bottled at the family estate

Total production: 3.800 bottles

Bottled in June 2010

Release Date: October 2011

Unique Code: AVIN3564048328849 [?]

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Ratings

92 WE

Reviews

“A Syrah-based wine made by Cortes de Cima’s Danish owner, Hans Kristian Jorgensen, in homage to the famous Danish writer of fairy stories. It is weighty, rich, ageworthy and ripely fruity. It is packed with firm tannins as well as blackberry acidity. Keep for 3–4 years. 2/1/2012” – WE