João Nicolau de Almeida
Quinta do Monte Xisto: The Legacy of João Nicolau de Almeida in Every Glass
In the scenic contours of the Douro Valley, Portugal, lies the enchanting vineyard of Quinta do Monte Xisto. This boutique winery, part of the Nicolau de Almeida Company, is helmed by João Nicolau de Almeida, an established visionary in the Portuguese wine world.
Vineyard and Terroir
Quinta do Monte Xisto is perched on steep, schistous terraces by the scenic Douro River. The vineyard's name, translating to 'Shale Hill Farm,' alludes to its unique soil rich in schist, a metamorphic rock which imparts a distinctive mineral quality to the wines. With the dedication to biodynamic farming practices, the vineyard ensures the growth of robust, character-rich grapes, thus nurturing a vibrant biodiversity.
Winemaking Philosophy
João Nicolau de Almeida's guiding principle at Quinta do Monte Xisto is minimal intervention, which allows the authenticity of the grapes, the terroir, and the climate to shine through in every bottle. Combining traditional vinification techniques like foot-treading in granite "lagares" with modern practices, the winery aims to create wines that reflect their origin's essence.
Nicolau de Almeida’s Vintage Port
This port wine is made from a meticulous selection of grapes from Quinta do Monte Xisto, comprising Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, and Sousão. This wine strikes a harmonious balance between structure and elegance, encapsulating the family's eternal quest. The seductive, long finish makes this Vintage Port truly remarkable.
The 2019 vintage was a product of an initially rainy winter that transitioned to a hot and dry climate. A wet April replenished the soil's water, followed by a warm summer that didn't reach extreme temperatures. The grapes were hand-harvested and transported to the winery in 20 kg boxes. With the inclusion of stems, the grapes were foot-treaded in a granite "lagar" for fermentation over six days, which led to the addition of wine brandy. The wine matured for 18 months in cement vats and 600-liter barrels in Vila Nova de Gaia, by the sea, under optimal temperature and humidity conditions.
The resulting wine is robust, with strong volume. Swirling the glass releases an array of delightful aromas like rockrose, resin, lavender, and enticing red fruits. The mouthfeel is smooth and full, with a subtle touch of tannins and a lasting finish revealing notes of blackberries, cherries, and other red fruits. This Vintage Port is an absolute armor.
Nicolau de Almeida’s Light Dry White Port
This Light Dry White Port is a blend of Rabigato (70%) and Arinto, Viosinho, Códega (30%). Harvested manually from a North-facing plot at the top of Quinta do Monte Xisto, the grapes were vinified in cement vats with the skins over three days, followed by pressing to complete fermentation and the addition of brandy. The wine matured in a cement tank at the warehouse in Vila Nova de Gaia, benefiting from the excellent temperature and humidity conditions by the sea.
The wine combines fresh and dried fruit aromas with oriental hints such as black tea and exotic infusions, promising an intriguing sensory experience. The palate is smooth, presenting a succession of plum, fig, lemon, orange, chestnut flavors. The finish leaves a slightly warm and sweet touch, reminding us that this is a Port wine, but light.
João Nicolau de Almeida and the Nicolau de Almeida Company
The influence of João Nicolau de Almeida extends beyond Quinta do Monte Xisto. The son of the esteemed Fernando Nicolau de Almeida, the creator of the legendary Barca Velha, João continued his father's legacy. His contributions have elevated the quality of wines from the Douro Valley, endorsing its native grape varieties and improving vineyard practices. At Quinta do Monte Xisto, João Nicolau de Almeida's passion and commitment are evident in each bottle, manifesting his life-long devotion to showcasing the best of the Douro Valley.
-
João Nicolau de Almeida
-
1944 / 2019
-
-
No Colheita's have been bottled
-
Quinta do Monte Xisto
-
-
nicolau de almeida
