Espera Castelão 2021

Espera translates as ‘wait’ in English, and is a word that Rodrigo Martins uses as the basis of his winemaking philosophy. It is a word that he uses to connect his vineyards and wines to nature. Rodrigo works with organically farmed vineyards in the Alcobaça region just North of Lisbon. The 5 hectares are planted with indigenous grape varieties including, and beyond, the well-known Touriga Nacional. Rodrigo has no set elevage for his cuvées, preferring to treat each vintage as its own, giving more or less time as the wine needs. This way he believes that the wines best represent the vintage.

Alcobaça is famous for its large population of Cistercian monks, who have been making wine for many generations. Rodrigo looks to their historical winemaking practises to influence his own winemaking. These wines are a true insight into the terroir of Alcobaça and the history which defines the region.

Spending 12 months in used French oak gives this wine a richness, and depth that shows the versatility of the grape. Fermentation starts in large 1000kg vats before being finished in in stainless steel.