Product Description
Passarella is an award-winning gem of a winery located in the most ancient quality producing region of Portugal, the Dão The Casa was founded even before the region acquired its DOC status, way back in 1892 and boasting a rich history. The flagship wine, Villa Oliviera, is named after the man who founded the estate almost 150 years ago. Portugal-born Amand d’Oliveira made his fortune in Brazil and returned to his homeland where he lived out his dream, by building a huge Brazilian style house and planting up 200 hectares of vines. Its birth may have been illustrious but, when current owner Ricardo Cabral acquired it in 2007, the winery was in ruins. Cabral proceeded to rebuild the winery and the vineyard, and was lucky to take on winemaker Paulo Nunes in 2009. Paulo saw opportunity in the location of the vineyard, where the Serra d’Estrela’s higher altitude (400-600m) results in 20 days longer hang times, great for tannin ripeness with more acidity and freshness, giving the wines a unique sense of place. The Label – The mystery of the box found inside one of the walls of Casa da Passarella is finally resolved. The story begins in 1942, when a box is secretly hidden in the stone walls of a room in the Casa da Passarella by their former owners, containing a beautiful handwritten document with instructions to be opened 50 years later. The document, signed by some iconic characters of the time, also contained a last will: that all the riches stored in the box were distributed by the poor. Truth is, neither of those things happened. Only in 2010, when the Casa has undergone works, the box was found and opened. And there was nothing inside.
Distinctly mineral in character, this is a bold wine with its tense tannins and firm, very dry fruitiness. Black currant and berry fruits shine through this structure giving a full, juicy character. It’s a wine of power and richness, still restrained by its tight, dry texture.
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