Tasting Notes
As is Antonio's way, this Iluminista is a magnificent blend featuring many Alentejo native varietals. Alicante Bouschet, Aragonês, Castelão, Alfrocheiro, Moreto and Tinta Carvalha. Neutral Oak imparts texture and roundness to the wine, whilst allowing the purity of fruit to do the talking. Blueberry, dark plum and dark chocolate, with a herbal, slightly pepper and violet infused charm (a little Côte-Rôtie). Fantastic structure and grip, the power and body is effortlessly elegant and pure. A long finish, this is already tasting great, but also feels incredibly age worthy too.
More Info
Winemaker 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.