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Chief winemaker Domingos Soares Franco is the younger brother in the 6th generation of the
family that has run José Maria da Fonseca since its foundation in 1834. As both vice president and senior winemaker of the company, Domingos has become a prominent figure in the field of Portuguese winemaking. This status is not derived solely from his connection to this prestigious Vila Nogueira de Azeitão company, but also from the fact that Domingos Soares Franco was the first Portuguese national to graduate in Fermentation Sciences (Viticulture and Oenology) from the University of California at Davis. This achievement is important in the influence it has had on his view of vines and wines: while intent on maintaining the distinctive features of Portuguese wines, he is constantly looking to the future, seeking
innovation wherever possible. This wine is named for him.

Production Area
Terras do Sado, Portugal. Vineyards here are composed principally of sand (95%) with some presence of clay (5%).

Grape Varieties
60% Touriga Nacional, 40% Syrah

Vinification
Traditional fermentation is carried out with full skin contact at a controlled temperature of approximately 82ºF. The resulting wine spends twelve months in new French oak casks with medium toast before bottling and release. Bottled December 2009.

Color
Dark ruby

Bouquet
Violets, cassis and sweet black fruits

Taste
Full-bodied and concentrated with ripe fruit flavors; very smooth with soft tannins

Alcohol
13.2%

Serving Suggestions
Best enjoyed after decanting. Serve with grilled red meats, game and cheeses.