Cortes de Cima Granito (Granite) Syrah 2021

Cortes de Cima — Granito Syrah 2021

95/100 – Jamie Goode
A Syrah from inland vineyards on granite soils, with an “à la Cornas” profile: succulent, structured, and refined, marked by pure red fruit, salinity, and remarkable focus.

Context

Granito Syrah 2021 is part of the ambitious terroir study developed by Cortes de Cima in the 2021 vintage, with consultancy from Pedro Parra. The project sought to isolate the influence of bedrock — limestone, granite, and volcanic sand — while keeping all other variables constant: the same grape variety (Syrah), viticultural practices, and vinification approach.

In this case, the wine comes from inland hillside vineyards, rooted in fractured granite with the presence of iron and quartz, revealing a more structured and profound expression of the variety, without losing precision or elegance. From each parcel, a single 500 L barrel was selected and bottled separately.

Terroir

Location: Cortes de Cima, Vidigueira
Context: Inland hillside vineyards
Soil: Fractured granite, rocky and silty, with iron
Profile: Structure, salinity, and mineral tension

Grape Variety

100% Syrah

Vinification

Harvest: Manual, at night
Fermentation: Spontaneous
Whole clusters: 33%
Maceration: 20 days, with gentle extraction

Vinification favors purity, definition, and a faithful reading of the granite soil, avoiding excess ripeness or oak influence.

Aging

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

Tasting Notes

Intense, well-defined aromas of red cherry and blackberry, interwoven with floral notes of violet, graphite, and black pepper. On the palate, it is structured and saline, with distinctly granular tannins, a direct reflection of the granite soil. A Syrah of great depth, precision, and persistence, where power and elegance coexist in exemplary balance.

Pairings

Ideal with:

• grilled or roasted meats

• lamb

• light game dishes

• structured Mediterranean cuisine

• dishes with moderate spices

Service

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

Technical Sheet

Producer: Cortes de Cima
Wine: Granito Syrah
Vintage: 2021
Region: Alentejo
Location: Vidigueira — Cortes de Cima
Grape variety: 100% Syrah
Soil: Fractured granite, rocky and silty, with iron
Harvest: Manual, at night
Fermentation: Spontaneous
Whole clusters: 33%
Maceration: 20 days, low extraction
Aging: 24 months in a single French oak barrel (500 L, 2014)
Alcohol: 12.5% vol.
Total SO₂: 64 mg/L
Bottling: October 2023
Production: 650 bottles (0.75 L)