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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. Incógnito is sourced from a single vineyard 9c, from our oldest Syrah plantings, grown on a hillside of ancient clay over limestone.
Harvest 2014
Winter rainfall was plentiful, followed by an excellent summer growing season, mild for Alentejan standards. An early harvest with a rapid end, due to the early arrival of September rains.
Vinification
100% Syrah grown sustainably on the ancient clay over limestone soils in own vineyards surrounding our estate in Vidigueira.
This single parcel was harvested separately according to ripeness. The fruit was destemmed and gently crushed, following fermentation under temperature control for 2 weeks in stainless steel tanks, with gentle punchdowns, pumpovers and delestage. The wine matured for 8 months in used French (90%) and American (10%) oak barrels.
Our Winemaker´s comments
Dark, brooding, stone fruit aromas of plums and prunes with a touch of toasty oak. Seamless palate with layers of fruits, sweet and silky, nicely textured, full bodied, densely flavoured with fine supple tannins to finish.
Appellation: Vinho Regional Alentejano
Varieties: 100% Syrah
Sustainable Viticulture: Integrated Protection
Total Acids: 5.3
Final pH: 3.57
Total Sugar: 0.4
Alcohol: 14%
Barrel ageing: 8 months French Oak (90%) American Oak (10%)
Total production: 10.500 bottles (75cl), grown, produced and bottled at the family estate
Awards
Gold Medal – Vinalies Internationales 2018
Ratings
91 - Wine Enthusiast
Reviews
"The wine is dark, dense and concentrated. It is shot through with blackberry and plum flavors that are layered with dense tannins and a perfumed aftertaste." - Oct/2018 - ROGER VOSS - Wine Enthusiast
Track Record - Ratings
2012 Vintage - 92 – Robert Parker
2012 Vintage - 92 – Wine Enthusiast
2011 Vintage - 93 – Robert Parker
2011 Vintage - 91 – Wine Enthusiast
2009 Vintage - 90 – Robert Parker
2004 Vintage - 90 – Robert Parker
2002 Vintage - 90 – Robert Parker
1999 Vintage - 90 – Wine Spectator
Track Record - Awards
2012 Vintage – Top Ten Best Syrah – Syrah du Monde 2016
2012 Vintage – Gold Medal – Syrah du Monde 2016
2012 Vintage – Gold Medal – Mundus Vini 2016
2011 Vintage – Best Red Portugal - Korea Wine Challenge 2014
2011 Vintage – Gold Medal - Korea Wine Challenge 2014
2011 Vintage – Gold Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2014
2011 Vintage – Silver Medal – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2014
2009 Vintage - Gold Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2012
2009 Vintage - Gold Medal – Syrah du Monde 2012
2005 Vintage - Gold Medal – Berliner Wein Trophy – Germany 2009
2005 Vintage - Gold Medal – Vinalies Internationales – France 2009
2005 Vintage - Gold Medal (BEST IN CLASS) – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2008
2005 Vintage - Gold Medal – Mundus Vini – Germany
2005 Vintage - Top Ten – ‘Essência do Vinho’ International Competition – Top Ten Portuguese Wines
2004 Vintage - Gold Medal – International Wine Challenge – London 2006
2004 Vintage - Gold Medal – Concours Mondial du Vin – Bruxelles 2006
2004 Vintage - Silver Medal (BEST IN CLASS) – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2006
2003 Vintage - Gold Medal (BEST IN CLASS) – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2005
2003 Vintage - Gold Medal – Mundus Vini – Germany 2005
2002 Vintage - Grand Gold – Concorso Enologico Internazionale Vinitaly 2004
2002 Vintage - Gold Medal – Japan Wine Challenge 2004
2002 Vintage - Gold Medal – Concours Mondial du Vin – Bruxelles 2004
2001 Vintage - Trophée Excellence – Citadelles du Vin, Bordeaux, 2003
2000 Vintage - Gold Medal – Challenge Intl du Vin, Bordeaux, 2002
2000 Vintage - Top Ten – ‘Wine Discoveries’ Favourites of the Intl. Press, Vinexpo Bordeaux 2001
2000 Vintage - Gold Medal – Mundus Vini, Germany 2002
2000 Vintage - Wine of the Year 2002 – Gula Magazine, Brazil
1999 Vintage - Gold Medal – International Wine Challenge UK, 2001
1999 Vintage - Red Wine of the Year 2001 – The Independent daily newspaper UK
1998 Vintage - Gold Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, 2000
Vintage Notes Archive (PDFs of present and past vintage notes)
- 2014-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 162 KB)
- 2012-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 302 KB)
- 2011-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 290 KB)
- 2009-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 50 KB)
- 2008-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 44 KB)
- 2005-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 47 KB)
- 2004-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 45 KB)
- 2003-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 50 KB)
- 2002-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 44 KB)
- 2001-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 42 KB)
- 1999-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 80 KB)
- 1998-INCOGNITO-Vintage_Notes (pdf 45 KB)