El3mento Douro

“El3mento” is translated in wine terms as “friendship” in the context that this project between friends Carmelo Pena (winemaker for Pure Rofe and Bien de Altura) and Luis Pedro (winemaker at Niepoort and Quinta de Carolina). The basis of the project is that wines will be made from local grapes in separate regions but following an exact winemaking methodology; so from allowing for an exact ‘recipe’ of producing the wine you can then clearly understand the regional differences. All Elemento wines are made from whole bunch pressing and are matured in clay amphora. The first two regions produced in the Elemento project are Carmelo’s ancient vines on the island of Gran Canaria and Luis’ Douro old-vine vineyards.

Elemento Douro grapes come from a specific vineyard, 100-year old vines and a field blend of grapes of that one single plot, 600 meters high above the river on steep slopes. This wine is so pure and delicious. Light in colour and alcohol for the region, it is extremely pure with fruits of cherry, red berries, cassis and redcurrant on the nose. On the palate, again it is all about purity with cranberry grip of acidity and a little tannin. Saline and long, a wine to be savoured not quaffed! This wine is only made in outstanding years and sells out – grab a few bottles while you can.