Colares is one of the most extreme, mythic wine regions on earth, set along the windswept Atlantic cliffs of Sintra. Rooted directly into deep, shifting coastal sand dunes (chão de areia), the vines here are pre-phylloxera and entirely ungrafted, since the phylloxera aphid cannot survive in loose sand. They crawl horizontally along the dunes beneath protective cane windbreaks to withstand violent ocean gales.

"Chitas" is the pinnacle of pure Ramisco, a hyper-tannic, high-acid indigenous red grape found nowhere else in the world. Fermented with native yeasts and aged for years in monumental vats of Portuguese oak and Brazilian hardwood (macaranduba), the 2015 "Chitas" also rested in bottle for several years before release. It opens with sour red plums, dried cranberries, crushed cedar, sea spray, iodine, leather, and wet tobacco, supported by an architectural, bracing tannic frame built to age for 50 years or more.

Why You'll Love It

• One of the wine world's rarest treasures: 100% ungrafted, pre-phylloxera Ramisco crawling across sand dunes.
• Sourced from the historic Chitas cellar of António Bernardino Paulo da Silva.
• Unrivaled Atlantic tension combining high-acid red fruit, iodine, salt spray, and firm, age-worthy tannins.

How To Serve It

• Serve at cool room temperature between 58°F and 62°F.
• We recommend decanting for 1 hour to allow the firm Ramisco tannins to soften and reveal floral scents.
• Pour into Burgundy stems to gather its high-toned maritime bouquet.
• Demands rich, savory foods: pair with roasted goat, suckling pig, duck confit, or dry-aged steak.