Humus, “Vinto Tinto” 2020

Since 1999, the “Humus” imprint of the Filipe family winery south of Lisbon has been run according to organic viticulture by Rodrigo Filipe, with nine hectares of vines planted in the famous terra rossa (broken red clay over limestone) soils of the Mediterranean. Described by his importer as “otherworldly” due to both the literal physical remoteness in addition to the wine-world-remoteness of the farm, “Humus” wines tend to demonstrate lower ABVs & a spry textural aspect due to the cool microclimate of this particularly “Atlantic” environment. This when partnered with the extended aging Rodrigo practices & his complete elimination of SO2 (see: zero/zero) produces the precise wines we know and love, big grapes balanced by honest acidity & leavened by reasonable ABV.

A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca and Syrah from 20-year-old vines grown on calcareous soil. The grapes are manually harvested and macerated with the skins for 7 days, followed by fermentation in stainless steel and élevage in used oak barrels. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, with no SO2. Pure Mediterranean… ironlike minerality, wet stone, savory and crunchy.