Deonilde Freitas founded the Casa Ermelinda Freitas winery in 1920. This was continued by Germana Freitas, later by Ermelinda Freitas, and today by Leonor Freitas. Four different women are at the helm of this winery. From day one, the quality of the vines and the wines has been paramount. While initially they primarily produced in bulk without their own brand, in 1997 it was time for their own wine. That's when the first wine was produced under the Casa Ermelinda Freitas name.
The Dona Ermelinda Grande Reserva is a blend of red grapes grown in the Setubal Peninsula region, featuring Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Aragonêz, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah varieties. The vines are deeply rooted in limestone and clay soil. At optimal ripeness, the grapes are harvested, followed by a seven-day cold maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. This is followed by a skin maceration period of approximately 15 days. The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, followed by a further 18 months in bottle.
But the long wait is more than rewarded. A lush, intense, and complex red wine is poured into the glass. Beautiful aromas of black fruit, spices, dark chocolate, and a hint of jam greet you. The palate is full-bodied and well-concentrated. The tannins are clearly present and carry through into a long finish with superb acidity.
