{"product_id":"dona-ermelinda-reserva-d-o-c","title":"Dona Ermelinda Reserva D.O.C.","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDona Ermelinda Reserva D.O.C.\u003c\/strong\u003e is a rich and polished Portuguese red from the \u003cstrong\u003ePalmela D.O.C.\u003c\/strong\u003e in the Península de Setúbal, produced by the historic \u003cstrong\u003eCasa Ermelinda Freitas\u003c\/strong\u003e estate. Built around the region’s signature \u003cstrong\u003eCastelão\u003c\/strong\u003e grape and complemented by \u003cstrong\u003eTouriga Nacional, Trincadeira, and Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e, this Reserva combines ripe dark fruit, spice, smoke, vanilla, and fine oak with impressive structure and supple tannins. Recent releases are bottled at approximately \u003cstrong\u003e14.5% ABV\u003c\/strong\u003e, delivering a generous yet balanced expression of southern Portuguese terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcess \u0026amp; Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heart of Dona Ermelinda Reserva is \u003cstrong\u003eCastelão\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most important traditional red varieties of the Palmela region. Recent vintages use a blend of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e70% Castelão, 10% Touriga Nacional, 10% Trincadeira, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e, combining native Portuguese character with additional structure and aromatic depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Castelão component has traditionally been sourced from \u003cstrong\u003eolder vineyards around Fernando Pó in Palmela\u003c\/strong\u003e, an area known for its sandy soils and favorable Mediterranean climate. These conditions help Castelão develop ripe fruit while retaining freshness and a distinctive savory character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVinification traditionally takes place in \u003cstrong\u003etemperature-controlled stainless-steel lagares\u003c\/strong\u003e, followed by an extended skin maceration of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e20 days\u003c\/strong\u003e to extract color, flavor, and tannin. The wine is then matured for around \u003cstrong\u003e12 months in French oak\u003c\/strong\u003e, followed by additional bottle aging before release. This extended maturation gives the Reserva greater depth and polish than the standard Dona Ermelinda red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the glass, Dona Ermelinda Reserva shows a \u003cstrong\u003edeep garnet to nearly opaque ruby color\u003c\/strong\u003e. The bouquet is intense and mature, revealing \u003cstrong\u003eblackberry, black plum, cherry compote, dark berries, spice, smoke, and vanilla\u003c\/strong\u003e, with additional nuances of coffee, tobacco, and cardamom developing through the oak aging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe palate is \u003cstrong\u003edense, full-bodied, and well structured\u003c\/strong\u003e, with generous ripe black and red fruit supported by integrated tannins and balanced acidity. Layers of \u003cstrong\u003eblackberry, plum, cherry, baking spice, vanilla, coffee, dark chocolate, tobacco, and toasted oak\u003c\/strong\u003e create a complex profile that remains powerful without becoming overly heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe finish is \u003cstrong\u003elong and persistent\u003c\/strong\u003e, carrying dark fruit, spice, chocolate, coffee, smoke, and fine oak. Mature tannins give the wine structure while remaining soft enough for enjoyable drinking with food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes \u003cstrong\u003eDona Ermelinda Reserva D.O.C.\u003c\/strong\u003e particularly compelling is its combination of \u003cstrong\u003eold-vine Castelão, indigenous Portuguese varieties, prolonged maceration, French-oak maturation, and classic Palmela terroir\u003c\/strong\u003e. The \u003cstrong\u003e2023 vintage received a Bronze Medal at the 2026 IWSC\u003c\/strong\u003e, where judges highlighted its cherry compote, coffee, cardamom, tobacco, generous fruit, and tannic structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe at approximately \u003cstrong\u003e16–18°C \/ 60–64°F\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its full body and savory fruit profile pair beautifully with \u003cstrong\u003egrilled or roasted red meats, lamb, game, slow-cooked stews, charcuterie, and mature cheeses\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Dona Ermelinda Reserva D.O.C.?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is a premium dry red wine from Portugal’s \u003cstrong\u003ePalmela D.O.C.\u003c\/strong\u003e, produced by Casa Ermelinda Freitas and centered on the traditional Castelão grape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the key specs of Dona Ermelinda Reserva?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecent vintages are typically \u003cstrong\u003e14.5% ABV\u003c\/strong\u003e in a \u003cstrong\u003e750ml bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e and use approximately \u003cstrong\u003e70% Castelão, 10% Touriga Nacional, 10% Trincadeira, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e. Traditional production includes approximately \u003cstrong\u003e12 months of French-oak aging\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat flavors characterize Dona Ermelinda Reserva?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpect \u003cstrong\u003eblackberry, plum, cherry compote, ripe red and black fruit, vanilla, spice, smoke, coffee, cardamom, tobacco, chocolate, and toasted oak\u003c\/strong\u003e, supported by ripe, integrated tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow should you enjoy Dona Ermelinda Reserva D.O.C.?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eServe at approximately \u003cstrong\u003e60–64°F \/ 16–18°C\u003c\/strong\u003e with grilled or roasted meats, lamb, game dishes, hearty stews, or aged cheeses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes Dona Ermelinda Reserva special?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts distinction comes from the dominance of \u003cstrong\u003eCastelão—Palmela’s signature red grape—combined with Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, and Cabernet Sauvignon, extended maceration, and French-oak maturation\u003c\/strong\u003e. The result is a structured yet polished Portuguese red with concentrated dark fruit, savory spice, smoky oak, and excellent food-pairing versatility.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aidil Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50448343630072,"sku":"80346","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0352\/3140\/0072\/files\/0019814_casa-ermelinda-freitas-dona-ermelinda-reserva-2023_600.png?v=1788644318","url":"https:\/\/thebourboncentral.com\/products\/dona-ermelinda-reserva-d-o-c","provider":"Bourbon Central","version":"1.0","type":"link"}