Antonio Madeira A Palheira Tinto 2019 Dão DOC

The António Madeira A Palheira 2019 occupies a special place in the estate's hierarchy. Named after the humble vineyard tool shed rather than a grand château, A Palheira represents a "Premier Cru" tier between the village-level Vinhas Velhas and António Madeira's rare single-vineyard Grand Cru wines.

Sourced from three of the finest old vineyards farmed by António Madeira, ranging from 60 to 100 years of age, the 2019 release was bottled separately because the quality of these parcels was simply too exceptional to be blended into the estate's Vinhas Velhas cuvée. Dominated by Baga and supported by a field blend of around 20 native Portuguese varieties, A Palheira captures the freshness, minerality and authenticity of the Serra da Estrela.

The 2019 vintage was an excellent year, producing fresh, ripe fruit and marking the estate's second vintage under biodynamic farming. Winemaking remained deliberately hands-off, with spontaneous fermentation in traditional open lagar fermenters using indigenous yeasts and minimal extraction. The wine then matured for 18 months in seasoned French and Austrian oak barrels (225L and 600L), allowing complexity to build while maintaining purity of fruit and terroir expression.

Tasting Notes

Deeply coloured yet strikingly fresh and expressive, A Palheira 2019 showcases the classic structure and character of Baga. Layers of cherry and blackberry fruit are woven through a framework of mineral and saline complexity, with notes of dried herbs and liquorice adding depth and intrigue. Fine, concentrated and beautifully balanced, the wine combines intensity with precision, finishing with freshness, energy and impressive structure.

Wine Details
Producer: António Madeira
Region: Dão – Serra da Estrela, Portugal
Vintage: 2019
Grape Varieties: Field blend of 20 native grape varieties, principally Baga
Vineyards: Three old-vine parcels
Vine Age: 60-100 years
Soil: Granite
Altitude: 500 metres
Farming: Biodynamic (uncertified)
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts, traditional open lagar fermentation
Ageing: 18 months in used French and Austrian oak barrels (225L & 600L)
Alcohol: 13.6%
Total Acidity: 6.05 g/L
pH: 3.73
Production: 3,700 bottles
Bottled: November 2021
Food Pairing

An outstanding match with roast lamb, duck, game birds, chargrilled meats and traditional Portuguese codfish dishes, where its savoury complexity and vibrant acidity can shine.

Cellaring

Built on old-vine concentration, natural acidity and the structure of Baga, A Palheira 2019 will continue to develop beautifully over the next 10-15 years.

A benchmark old-vine Dão red that delivers the intensity of Baga, the minerality of the Serra da Estrela and the precision of one of Portugal's most exciting terroir-focused producers