Rufia Tinto Tavares de Pina 2019

The 'Rufia' Tinto from the Portuguese winery Tavares de Pina represents an interpretation of surprising grace and smoothness, crafted from a blend of native black grape varieties. We find ourselves in the wine region of Beiras, in the central-northern part of Portugal, an area characterized by an oceanic climate of hills, plateaus, and mountains. To preserve the territorial and varietal attributes while emphasizing the freshness due to the high altitudes, both the agronomic and winemaking processes are aimed at minimizing interventions which are never invasive.

João Tavares de Pina's 'Rufia' Tinto is a blend of Jaen (40%), Touriga Nacional (30%), and Rufete (30%), cultivated at around 550 meters above sea level on soils composed of clay, granite, and schist. The vines are grown following a truly eco-sustainable production philosophy. Once optimal ripeness is achieved, the grapes are hand-harvested and then destemmed in stainless steel tanks where spontaneous alcoholic fermentation takes place with about 2 weeks of skin maceration. The subsequent ageing period occurs for 9 months in stainless steel tanks and for another 9 months in old oak barrels. After this phase of the winemaking process, the liquid is bottled without undergoing any filtration.

The Portuguese red wine 'Rufia' Tinto from Tavares de Pina is ruby red with purple reflections. The nose opens with crisp aromas of red fruits, such as currants, raspberries, and fresh herbs, before transitioning to delicately spicy hints. The palate is smooth, elegant, and of medium structure, with juicy freshness and gentle tannins. This bottle offers a surprisingly vibrant taste despite its light alcohol content.