Antonio Madeira Vinha da Serra Tinto 2020 Dão DOC

The António Madeira Vinha da Serra 2020 is one of the rarest wines produced by the estate, sourced from a tiny 100-year-old vineyard perched at 600 metres altitude in the Serra da Estrela. Facing west, this remarkable site combines the freshness of elevation with the ripening influence of the afternoon sun, creating a wine of exceptional balance, finesse and ageing potential. The vineyard is so low-yielding that production is typically limited to a single barrel each vintage. The 2020 release yielded just 450 bottles. Based on vineyard and production information supplied for the 2020 vintage and the official tasting profile of the closely related 2019 release.

Often described by António Madeira as his "Musigny of the Dão", Vinha da Serra is dominated by Tinta Amarela (approximately 60%), supported by Jaen, Baga, Tinta Pinheira and other native varieties. Madeira regards Tinta Amarela as the "Pinot Noir of the Dão" due to its ability to express site with delicacy, perfume and precision.

The 2020 season was challenging, with significant losses caused by late-March frosts. Nevertheless, the surviving fruit delivered the concentration and balance required for this highly coveted single-vineyard bottling. Fermentation occurred naturally in open vats using indigenous yeasts, with very gentle extraction to preserve the vineyard's character. The wine then matured for 18 months in a single used 225L French oak barrel, where malolactic fermentation also took place. Based on supplied 2020 production details and the estate's established winemaking approach.

Tasting Notes

Drawing on the official profile of this vineyard, Vinha da Serra shows lifted aromas of floral cherry and red berry fruits, with a palate that is fresh, supple and finely detailed. Bright cherry and raspberry flavours are supported by vibrant acidity and subtle underlying structure. Focused, linear and precise, the wine combines elegance with serious cellar potential. Tasting profile based on the official Vinha da Serra release notes for the adjacent vintage from the same vineyard and winemaking program.

Wine Details
Producer: António Madeira
Region: Dão – Serra da Estrela, Portugal
Vintage: 2020
Vineyard: Single vineyard, west-facing hillside
Vine Age: Approximately 100 years
Altitude: 600 metres
Soil: Granite
Grape Varieties: Tinta Amarela (60%), Jaen (20%), Baga (9%), Tinta Pinheira (8%) and other native varieties
Farming: Biodynamic (uncertified)
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts, traditional open vats
Oak Maturation: 18 months in a used 225L French oak barrel
Alcohol: 13.7%
Total Acidity: 6.16 g/L
pH: 3.63
Production: 450 bottles
Bottled: November 2022
Food Pairing

A superb match for lamb, duck, game birds, roast pork and traditional Portuguese cuisine, where its freshness, fine tannins and mineral structure can shine.

Cellaring

Despite its elegance and accessibility, Vinha da Serra possesses the acidity, structure and concentration to reward careful cellaring over the next decade or more.

An extraordinarily rare single-vineyard Dão red, combining old-vine concentration, mountain freshness and the distinctive personality of one of the Serra da Estrela's most prized vineyard sites.