Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled beef tenderloin, mature cheeses
✨ Technical Specifications
Bacalhôa's pioneering spirit on the Península de Setúbal is beautifully expressed in this single-varietal Merlot. Grown in vineyards nestled against the slopes of the Serra da Arrábida, the grapes benefit from a unique microclimate where warm Mediterranean days are tempered by cool Atlantic breezes. The region's clay-limestone soils impart a distinct mineral structure and depth to the grape, which is otherwise known for its plush, velvety character. Historically, Bacalhôa was among the first in Portugal to champion international varieties, proving that the terroir of Setúbal could yield world-class expressions of French grapes. This Merlot is traditionally vinified and aged in French oak barrels, resulting in a harmonious balance of ripe red plum, cocoa, and subtle spice notes, wrapped in a smooth, elegant texture.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1922 under the name João Pires & Filhos, Bacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal has grown into one of Portugal's most significant and pioneering wine enterprises. Modernized in the 1970s and subsequently acquired by arts patron Comendador José Berardo in 1998, the group encompasses historic estates such as Quinta da Bacalhôa, Quinta do Carmo, and Caves Aliança. Spanning roughly 1,200 hectares across the Setúbal Peninsula, Alentejo, Bairrada, Dão, Douro, and Vinho Verde, the group cultivates indigenous and international varieties on diverse terroirs ranging from Setúbal's clay-limestone slopes and sandy maritime soils to Alentejo's schist-strewn plains. Viticulture is practiced sustainably under certifications like the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme (WASP). Led enologically by Francisco Antunes, Bacalhôa balances classical heritage and cellar innovation, renowned for historic benchmark cuvées including the barrel-fermented Catarina, age-worthy Quinta da Bacalhôa Cabernet Sauvignon blends, Quinta do Carmo reds and whites, traditional-method Aliança sparkling wines, and rare, concentrated Moscatel de Setúbal.
🍇 Grapes
Merlot
🍷 ABV
14-14.5%