Cortes de Cima Calcário (Limestone) Syrah 2021

Cortes de Cima — Calcário Syrah 2021

96/100
A Syrah from highly fractured limestone soils, with visible calcareous dust. Fresh, luminous, and precise, with great energy, salinity, and fine tannins that underscore the purity of the terroir.

Context

Calcário Syrah 2021 represents the most tense and mineral expression of the terroir study developed by Cortes de Cima in the 2021 vintage, with consultancy from Pedro Parra. The project isolated the influence of bedrock — limestone, granite, and volcanic sand — while keeping the grape variety (Syrah), viticultural practices, and vinification approach constant.

In this case, the wine comes from highly fractured limestone soils of silty and sandy nature, rich in calcareous dust, giving rise to a Syrah of remarkable purity, focus, and definition, where acidity and tannic texture directly reflect the soil.

From each parcel, a single 500 L barrel was selected and bottled separately, resulting in an extremely limited production.

Terroir

Location: Cortes de Cima, Vidigueira
Soil: Silty and sandy limestone, highly fractured
Profile: Tension, salinity, precision, and energy

Grape Variety

100% Syrah

Vinification

Harvest: Manual, at night
Fermentation: Spontaneous
Whole clusters: 66%
Maceration: 16 days, with gentle extraction

The high proportion of whole clusters contributes to freshness, aromatic definition, and more vertical tannins, reinforcing the wine’s limestone character.

Aging

24 months in a single 500 L French oak barrel, from 2014
Bottled at the family estate in October 2023

Tasting Notes

Vibrant aromas of red cherry and redcurrant, with delicate herbal nuances. On the palate, it is extremely pure and focused, with precise red fruit, fine, limestone-driven tannins, and a crunchy acidity that supports an elegant, saline, and very persistent whole. An exemplary interpretation of Syrah on limestone soils.

Pairings

Excellent with:

• delicately cut grilled meats

• young lamb

• game birds

• dishes with fresh herbs

• elegant Mediterranean cuisine

Service

Temperature: 16–18 °C
Glass: large red wine glass
Decanting: recommended

Technical Sheet

Producer: Cortes de Cima
Wine: Calcário Syrah
Vintage: 2021
Region: Alentejo
Location: Vidigueira — Cortes de Cima
Grape variety: 100% Syrah
Soil: Silty and sandy limestone, highly fractured
Harvest: Manual, at night
Fermentation: Spontaneous
Whole clusters: 66%
Maceration: 16 days, low extraction
Aging: 24 months in a single French oak barrel (500 L, 2014)
Alcohol: 13% vol.
Total SO₂: 52 mg/L
Bottling: October 2023
Production: 500 bottles (0.75 L)