Importer notes from Shiverick Imports:

"Located in the Lower Alentejo region in the southern half of Portugal, between Vidigueira and Cuba, lies the estate of Herdade do Rocim on 100 hectares, 60 of which are under vine. Alentejo is sparsely populated and, in contrast to the rest of Portugal, has many large estates. The climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters. Having fairly reliable weather combined with the large plots of available land equates to quality at an affordable price.

The Rocim estate was purchased by the late Jose Vieira, founder of the Movicortes group, which is a Portuguese company that specializes in agricultural machinery, but has its roots in farming and vineyards. His daughter, Catarina Vieira, is in charge of the development of the estate and has her degree in Agronomical Engineering and a post-graduate course in Enology. Since purchasing, they have invested greatly in the land by completely regenerating the vineyards and building a new state of the art winery. With a complete overhaul of the vineyards, they were able to plant higher-quality varietals, including international grapes such as Syrah and Cabernet, as well as the indigenous and local varietals."

About the cuvee:

Made from a blend of local varieties Antão Vaz, Perrum, Rabo de Ovelha and Mateúdo, grown on granite and schist-based soils. Fermented in amphora with native yeasts, with no tampering with the must.

Flor Impressions: We've been enjoying our "research" for our upcoming Portugal wine class and this was a showstopper. Gorgeous yellow fruits, dried herbs and spices introduce a mineral and textural palate. Its dry, floral and slightly salty finish pave the way for endless pairing ideas.