A classic Moscatel with dried fruit, caramel and spice.
The colheita Moscatel de Setubal is actually far from it, displaying all the hallmarks of classic muscat from Portugal. Made and aged in Quinta do Piloto's large concrete anforae, there's dried fruit, caramel, spices, florals and especially citrus orange peel. Classic, sweet marmalade flavours, and around 150 g/L residual sugar is balanced by great acidity.
Quinta do Piloto is a long-standing family estate in the Penisula de Setubal. Their estate property and winery in Palmela, including their rare, concrete auto-fermentors, is run by 3rd generation winemaker and owner, Filipe Cardoso.
The majority of the estate's vineyards are located on the flat, sandy soils of the penisula, to the East of Palmela. Here they have some fantastic (and some very old) Castelao. They also have some higher altitude sites, on north-facing, limestone soils, at the eastern end of the Sierra da Arrabida, surrounding Quinta do PIloto. Here they have more of their Moscatel de Setubal (Muscat of Alexandria) and Moscatel Roxo. This lesser-known variety most likey being a colour mutation of Muscat Blancs a Petits Grains, and QdP are one of very few producing this as a varietal wine.
Quinta do Piloto were one of the founding member of the Palmela Wine Company (formally known as SIVIPA), and although QdP are now venturing forward with their own estate wines, Filipe still oversees a lot of the winemaking for the cooperative, making much of the wine for them at QdP!
Moscatel de Setúbal is the flagship of the wines from the Setúbal Peninsula and one of the treasures of Portuguese wines. Humberto Cardoso, founder of Quinta do Piloto, had extensive knowledge about Moscatels de Setúbal, and this ancient knowledge is reflected in each bottle of Quinta do Piloto Moscatels. This ancient knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation to the present day.
The blend of grapes from vineyards planted in the Serra da Arrábida with clay-limestone soil and a northern exposure, combined with grapes from vineyards in the Poceirão area with sandy soil, is one of the now-revealed secrets.
This Moscatel Setúbal, produced in Argelian Concrete Anfora, show a diferente concept of Moscatel, made with a sustainable methode, with no wood, This Moscatel is described as young, fresh, and fruity, offering a unique twist on traditional Moscatel wines.
2 years aged in Amphora.
It is recommended to be enjoyed in daily occasions and informal settings, providing a versatile option
for various drinking experiences.
