Antonio Madeira Vinhas Velhas Tinto 2021 Dão DOC

The António Madeira Vinhas Velhas 2021 is the signature wine of the estate and the cuvée that best captures António Madeira's philosophy of preserving the historic vineyards of the Serra da Estrela. Sourced from around 20 small old-vine parcels aged between 50 and 100 years, this field blend showcases the diversity, heritage and complexity of the Dão Highlands.

The blend combines Jaen, Baga, Tinta Amarela and around 20 other native Portuguese grape varieties, many of which are increasingly rare. The 2021 vintage was heavily influenced by more than 100mm of rain during the harvest period, producing wines with ripe fruit, vibrant freshness and notably lower alcohol levels.

True to the estate's minimal-intervention philosophy, fermentation occurred naturally in open vats using indigenous yeasts, with very gentle extraction to preserve purity and site expression. The wine then matured for 18 months in used French oak barrels of varying sizes, followed by 6 months in stainless steel, allowing complexity and texture to develop while maintaining freshness and precision.

Tasting Notes

The 2021 opens with brooding floral aromas of red cherry and plum. The palate is layered and expressive, combining bright plummy fruit with fresh acidity and a distinctive mineral, spicy undertow. Beyond the fruit lies a deeper level of complexity, with notes of dried herbs, savoury nuances and stony minerality. Structured and refined, this is a wine with both immediate appeal and the capacity to evolve beautifully in bottle.

Wine Details
Producer: Antonio Madeira
Region: Dão – Serra da Estrela, Portugal
Vintage: 2021
Grape Varieties: Field blend of Jaen, Baga, Tinta Amarela and approximately 20 other native varieties
Vineyards: Around 20 old-vine parcels
Vine Age: 50-100 years
Soil: Granite
Altitude: 500-600 metres
Farming: Biodynamic (uncertified)
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts, traditional open-vat fermentation
Ageing: 18 months in used French oak (600L, 500L, 400L & 225L), plus 6 months in stainless steel
Alcohol: 12.1%
Total Acidity: 5.86 g/L
pH: 3.62
Production: 11,300 bottles
Bottled: December 2023
Food Pairing

An excellent match for roast lamb, duck, game birds, chargrilled meats and traditional Portuguese codfish dishes, where its freshness, savoury complexity and mineral character can take centre stage.

Cellaring

The combination of old-vine concentration, natural acidity and layered structure makes Vinhas Velhas 2021 a wine capable of rewarding medium to long-term cellaring, developing additional complexity over the next decade.

A benchmark Dão red that perfectly expresses the freshness, minerality and old-vine character of the Serra da Estrela, combining vibrant fruit with depth, structure and remarkable authenticity.