Márcio Lopes Ensaios Soltos Tinto Monção Melgaço 2021

Márcio Lopes Ensaios Soltos Tinto 2021
Vinho Verde Tinto – Monção e Melgaço sub-region
Grapes: Alvarelhão, Tinta Fêmea, Pedral
Production: Only 600 bottles

Description
Before his current renown, we crossed paths with Márcio Lopes early in his career and it was immediately clear he would become one of Portugal’s great winemakers — and he did. Now under 40, he has earned countless awards in top national and international publications, extremely high critic scores, and was named one of the Top 100 Wine Discoveries 2020 by Robert Parker.

Yet the Márcio we know remains the same: a dreamer, focused, humble, family man, friend and one of the finest interpreters of terroir we’ve ever met. The Ensaios Soltos series is his creative playground — micro-vinifications that explore alternative techniques, forgotten varieties and abandoned terroirs.

Ensaios Soltos Tinto 2021 is an ultra-limited, experimental red, crafted from 90-year-old ramada-trained vines in Melgaço. This rare, light and vibrant wine blends tradition and creativity in a truly unique profile.

Vinification combines 50% carbonic maceration with 50% foot treading, followed by fermentation and 15 months of ageing in used barrels. The result is a low-extraction, highly finessed red — only 12% ABV — celebrating the fresh and aromatic character of the Alto Minho’s traditional red varieties.

Technical details
Region: Vinho Verde DOC – Monção e Melgaço
Grapes: Alvarelhão, Tinta Fêmea, Pedral
Soil: Granite-based
Vine age: 90+ years (ramada-trained vines)
Production: 600 bottles
Vinification: 50% carbonic maceration + 50% foot-treading
Ageing: 15 months in used barrels
Alcohol: 12% vol
Bottle: 0.75 l

Tasting notes
Delicate aromas of wild red berries, dried flowers and aromatic herbs. On the palate, light, earthy and luminous, with bright acidity and soft tannins. A fresh, “Atlantic” red evoking the clarete style of old — but with a refined modern touch.

Recommended pairings

Grilled trout with vegetables
Roast chicken with lemon and herbs
Warm octopus salad
Fresh goat cheeses
Japanese cuisine (tonkatsu, tuna tataki)