{"title":"Antonio Macanita's unknown stars that really deserve our attention","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese have been nestled away in our cellars for a few years. We've recently unearthed these dazzlingly good and extremely intriguing single variety wines from Alentejo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll from 2021, so now entering their prime drinking window, these are varieties you've never heard of and will struggle to find again. Mysterious, with quality that is just off the clock.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"moreto-chao-dos-eremitas-antonio-macanita-2021","title":"Moreto Chao dos Eremitas Antonio Macanita 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eA blend of Tinta Carvalha, Castelão, Moreto, Alfrocheiro and Trincadeira from the Chão dos Eremitas vineyard planted on granitic soils in the southern foothills of the Serra d'Ossa. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Lightish cherry red. Aroma of fresh raspberries with a light sprinkling of crushed stones. A little more savoury on the palate, as well as the zesty red fruits. Full of youthful zest for life. Chewy but fine-grained. Alcohol shows a little on the finish but would not be noticeable if you drank this very slightly cool. Tannins are fine-grained yet chewy.\" \u003cstrong\u003e17\/20pts, Julia Harding, JancisRobinson.com\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker of the Year' 2018, 'Singularity Award' 2018, 'Revelation Producer' 2017, Wine Project of the Year 2016 - it's safe to say that Antonio Macanita's mantlepiece is under some strain. But despite the high achievements and fancy awards, there's a devil-may-care adventurousness to António Maçanita which really puts us in mind of the likes of Pieter Walser or Swartland revolutionaries Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie in South Africa (funnily enough, Alentejo, where Antonio makes his Fitapreta wines, has been compared to Swartland in that it was traditionally dominated by co-operatives but recently we’ve seen an influx of small growers with old plots making really interesting and exciting wines). Like the Saffers, Antonio has sought to challenge wine lovers' expectations and make great new wines from often largely forgotten territories. He also surfs. He learned his trade at some of the world's top wineries - Rudd in Napa, D’Arenberg in Australia and Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux - before blazing a trail all over Portugal - from Douro to Alentejo to the Azores Islands. In addition to his own multi-region company, he also consults for 13 other wineries.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FITAPRETA VINHOS","offers":[{"title":"DUTY PAID","offer_id":43286739484857,"sku":"PFIT07R7521","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Screenshot2026-03-24143913.png?v=1774363316"},{"product_id":"tinta-carvalha-chao-dos-eremitas-antonio-macanita-2021","title":"Tinta Carvalha Chao dos Eremitas Antonio Macanita 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis 100% Tinta Carvalha, the only one monovarietal in Portugal. Tinta Carvalha is a varietal from the ancient varieties of the Alentejo vineyard,half-sister of Castelão and Moreto, daughter of the crossing between Sarigo and Alfrocheiro Preto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"My favorite of the three varietal reds from the Chão dos Eremitas is the 2021 Tinta Carvalha Chão dos Eremitas, which is also the palest, most perfumed and elegant of the three, and that's coming from a variety that does not have great a reputation for elegance. It fermented with 30% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in neutral barrels for 16 months. Apparently, it's the only wine produced with the grape in Portugal. It's lighter than it's siblings, fine-boned and subtle and comes in at a moderate 12.9% alcohol, keeping a pH of 3.54 and 5.4 grams of acidity. It comes through as very balanced and harmonious. 94pts, Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker Wine Advocate.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker of the Year' 2018, 'Singularity Award' 2018, 'Revelation Producer' 2017, Wine Project of the Year 2016 - it's safe to say that Antonio Macanita's mantlepiece is under some strain. But despite the high achievements and fancy awards, there's a devil-may-care adventurousness to António Maçanita which really puts us in mind of the likes of Pieter Walser or Swartland revolutionaries Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie in South Africa (funnily enough, Alentejo, where Antonio makes his Fitapreta wines, has been compared to Swartland in that it was traditionally dominated by co-operatives but recently we’ve seen an influx of small growers with old plots making really interesting and exciting wines). Like the Saffers, Antonio has sought to challenge wine lovers' expectations and make great new wines from often largely forgotten territories. He also surfs. He learned his trade at some of the world's top wineries - Rudd in Napa, D’Arenberg in Australia and Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux - before blazing a trail all over Portugal - from Douro to Alentejo to the Azores Islands. In addition to his own multi-region company, he also consults for 13 other wineries.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FITAPRETA VINHOS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43286739550393,"sku":"PFIT08R7521","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Screenshot2026-03-24143511_79fa15c8-a828-44f3-bfa4-ca4f269839e0.png?v=1774433168"},{"product_id":"trincadera-chao-dos-eremitas-antonio-macanita-2021","title":"Trincadeira Chao dos Eremitas Antonio Macanita 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e100% Tamarez, also known as Trincadeira-das-Pratas. Tamarez was for many years a very important varietal in Alentejo, Antonio is bringing it back. 12 months lees, this wine pairs a textual richness with freshness. Fresh yet broad in terms of fruit, which goes from citrus to tropical, with vibrant lemon and ripe pineapple. Very fine, persistent and clean. So interesting and so delicious. Drinking so well now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinemaker of the Year' 2018, 'Singularity Award' 2018, 'Revelation Producer' 2017, Wine Project of the Year 2016 - it's safe to say that Antonio Macanita's mantlepiece is under some strain. But despite the high achievements and fancy awards, there's a devil-may-care adventurousness to António Maçanita which really puts us in mind of the likes of Pieter Walser or Swartland revolutionaries Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie in South Africa (funnily enough, Alentejo, where Antonio makes his Fitapreta wines, has been compared to Swartland - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein that it was traditionally dominated by co-operatives but recently we’ve seen an influx of small growers with old plots making really interesting and exciting wines).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Like the Saffers, Antonio has sought to challenge wine lovers' expectations and make great new wines from often largely forgotten territories. He also surfs. He learned his trade at some of the world's top wineries - Rudd in Napa, D’Arenberg in Australia and Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux - before blazing a trail all over Portugal - from Douro to Alentejo to the Azores Islands. In addition to his own multi-region company, he also consults for 13 other wineries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FITAPRETA VINHOS","offers":[{"title":"DUTY PAID","offer_id":43286739615929,"sku":"PFIT09W7521","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/fita-preta-chao-dos-eremitas-os-paulistas-white-2022.jpg?v=1775752425"},{"product_id":"alicante-branco-chao-dos-eremitas-antonio-macanita-2021","title":"Alicante Branco Chao dos Eremitas Antonio Macanita 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlicante Branco, also known as Boal de Alicante or Boal Cachudo, was a very important varietal in Alentejo pre-Phylloxera. As far as we know, this is the only 100% Alicante Branco produced! 12 months lees and the grapes style gives you Yellow-citrus colour, intense nose, notes of orange, peach and gunpowder. Full-bodied attack, excellent texture and persistence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinemaker of the Year' 2018, 'Singularity Award' 2018, 'Revelation Producer' 2017, Wine Project of the Year 2016 - it's safe to say that Antonio Macanita's mantlepiece is under some strain. But despite the high achievements and fancy awards, there's a devil-may-care adventurousness to António Maçanita which really puts us in mind of the likes of Pieter Walser or Swartland revolutionaries Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie in South Africa (funnily enough, Alentejo, where Antonio makes his Fitapreta wines, has been compared to Swartland - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein that it was traditionally dominated by co-operatives but recently we’ve seen an influx of small growers with old plots making really interesting and exciting wines).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Like the Saffers, Antonio has sought to challenge wine lovers' expectations and make great new wines from often largely forgotten territories. He also surfs. He learned his trade at some of the world's top wineries - Rudd in Napa, D’Arenberg in Australia and Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux - before blazing a trail all over Portugal - from Douro to Alentejo to the Azores Islands. In addition to his own multi-region company, he also consults for 13 other wineries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FITAPRETA VINHOS","offers":[{"title":"DUTY PAID","offer_id":43286739681465,"sku":"PFIT10W7521","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Screenshot2026-03-24140240_b2e63dae-1e3d-47ed-8367-dd203ffb20da.png?v=1774363901"}],"url":"https:\/\/swig.co.uk\/collections\/antonio-macanitas-unknown-stars-that-really-deserve-our-attention\/red.oembed","provider":"Swig Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}