Incógnito

Facts

Bold, superb balance and sumptuous finish. The mystery name refers to a time when Syrah was not permitted in Alentejo.

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, and with all the Hallmarks of a great world class Syrah.

Current Vintage: 2008

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Click here for PDFs of past vintages: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008

Vintage 2008

An exceptionally cold winter, one of the coldest in 19 years, and a rare snowfall in January! Rainfall was normal at 500mm, mostly concentrated in the winter months, followed by a dry and warm spring and summer. Budbreak on 26th February was an early record.

Unstable weather during flowering in May resulted in uneven pollination and low fruit set in some varieties. A very hot period in early August when temperatures averaged 25º kick-started the exceptionally early harvest date.

Tasting Notes

The wine shows a complex aroma of ripe red berry fruits, with gamey notes of tobacco and tar. The palate is well balanced and nicely textured with layers of sweet savoury fruit. Elegant, intense, and persistent with a long lingering finish, and with enough structure to last for up to 10 years of bottle ageing.

Appellation: Vinho Regional Alentejano

Varieties: 100% Syrah

Total Acids: 5.5

Final pH: 3.44

Residual Sugars: 3.11

Alcohol: 14.5%

Barrel ageing: 6 months French Oak

Grown, produced and bottled at the family estate

Bottled unfined and unfiltered in Junho 2009

Total production: 9.300 bottles (75 cl)

Release Date: November 2011

Unique Code: AVIN3243241730429 [?]

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Awards

Silver Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2011

Silver Medal – Vinalies International 2011

Silver Medal – Challenge International du Vin 2011

Ratings

89 Parker

Reviews

“The 2008 Incognito is Syrah in full flight, gamey and showing a lot of character and in this vintage, showing rather crisp and focused as well, with moderately ripe tannins. It is caressing on the palate. The wine seems a bit smokey as well. The mid-palate is rather elegant and focused. As Syrah goes, it is a wine that has some varietal character, and you don’t always get that in Portugal. Drink now-2020″ ‐ Robert Parker