Alfrocheiro Quinta Da Fonte Souto Symington

Quinta da Fonte Souto Alfrocheiro 2019 is a limited-production, single-varietal red from the Portalegre subregion of Alentejo, produced by Symington Family Estates at their high-elevation Quinta da Fonte Souto estate. Made from 100% Alfrocheiro grown in two of the property’s highest vineyards at just over 500 meters / 1,640 feet, the wine combines mountain freshness with impressive depth and structure. Bottled at 14.5% ABV, it offers blueberry, wild strawberry, black plum, dark chocolate, graphite, licorice, forest herbs, and peppery spice framed by bright acidity and firm, polished tannins.

Process & Profile

Quinta da Fonte Souto is located on the slopes of the Serra de São Mamede in Portalegre, Alto Alentejo. Acquired by the Symington family in 2017, it was their first vineyard property outside the Douro. The estate sits significantly higher than much of the Alentejo, with vineyards generally between 490 and 550 meters, giving the site cooler conditions and stronger day-to-night temperature shifts than the warmer plains below.

The 2019 Alfrocheiro was the first varietal wine released from Quinta da Fonte Souto. The grapes came from two of the estate’s highest-planted vineyards, where mature, low-yielding vines and schist-and-granite soils contribute concentration, minerality, and freshness. Symington selected the variety for a standalone bottling because Alfrocheiro achieved exceptional ripeness and balance in the 2019 growing season.

The wine is made from 100% Alfrocheiro. Grapes are hand harvested, transported in small shallow boxes, manually sorted, destemmed, and gently crushed before fermentation. Fermentation temperature and maceration are managed individually by lot, followed by a period of post-fermentation maceration to build additional tannic structure and aging potential.

After vinification, 80% of the wine matures for 11 months in second-year 400-liter French oak barrels. The use of seasoned rather than entirely new oak adds texture and complexity while allowing the fruit, mineral character, and freshness of Alfrocheiro to remain at the center of the wine.

In the glass, the wine shows a very deep color with a narrow crimson rim. The nose is fresh and mineral, with flint, graphite, forest vegetation, blueberry, and wild strawberry. The high-elevation site gives the aromatics a notable sense of freshness and precision.

The palate is concentrated and structured, revealing black plum, dark chocolate, licorice, ripe black fruit, rosemary, pine needle, and pepper. Bright acidity gives the wine lift, while firm but finely shaped tannins provide the framework for further bottle development.

The finish is long and savory, carrying dark fruit, cocoa, mineral notes, pepper, licorice, and fine oak. Despite its concentration, the wine maintains impressive freshness, a hallmark of the cooler Portalegre terroir.

What makes Quinta da Fonte Souto Alfrocheiro particularly compelling is its combination of 100% indigenous Alfrocheiro, high-elevation vineyards, low yields, schist-and-granite soils, 11 months of French-oak maturation, and limited-production single-varietal focus. It was also named Best Red Varietal Wine at the 2022 Wines of Portugal Competition, helping establish the estate’s varietal series.

The 2019 vintage also received 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, which noted its concentrated black fruit and firm tannic structure.

Serve at approximately 16–18°C / 60–64°F. It pairs beautifully with roast lamb, grilled beef, venison, braised meats, mushrooms, game, and mature cheeses. Decanting for 30–60 minutes can help reveal the wine’s darker fruit, herbal, and mineral layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Quinta da Fonte Souto Alfrocheiro?
It is a limited-edition Alentejo DOC red wine from Portalegre, produced by Symington Family Estates from 100% Alfrocheiro grown at Quinta da Fonte Souto.

What are the key specs of Quinta da Fonte Souto Alfrocheiro 2019?
The wine is 100% Alfrocheiro, bottled at 14.5% ABV, with 5.3 g/L acidity, 1 g/L residual sugar, and a pH of 3.66. Eighty percent of the wine spends 11 months in second-year 400L French oak barrels.

What flavors characterize Quinta da Fonte Souto Alfrocheiro?
Expect blueberry, wild strawberry, black plum, dark chocolate, graphite, flint, licorice, pepper, herbs, and forest-floor notes, supported by bright acidity and structured tannins.

How is Quinta da Fonte Souto Alfrocheiro made?
The grapes are hand harvested, manually sorted, destemmed, gently crushed, fermented under controlled conditions, and given post-fermentation maceration before maturation in French oak.

What makes Quinta da Fonte Souto Alfrocheiro special?
Its distinction comes from the combination of single-varietal Alfrocheiro, mature low-yielding vines, vineyards above 500 meters, schist-and-granite terroir, limited production, and restrained French-oak aging. The result is a deeply colored, structured Portuguese red with both richness and unusual mountain freshness.