Cartuxa Pera Manca White 2021

Cartuxa Pera Manca White 2021

 

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Cartuxa
Pera Manca White 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Portugal
  • Region : Alentejo
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13°
  • Grappes : 55% Arinto, 45% Antao Vaz

Cartuxa Pêra-Manca White is an iconic wine from Alentejo, combining elegant fruit complexity with remarkable ageing potential, making it a refined expression of Portuguese terroir.

Experts Score Vintage
WS Wine Spectator 92 2018
RP Robert Parker 94 2017
WE Wine Enthusiast 93 2016
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Alentejo region, particularly Évora, provides the perfect backdrop for the production of Cartuxa's flagship wines. The vineyards here thrive in granite-rich soils, benefitting from Mediterranean climatic conditions characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. These elements, combined with the region’s long viticultural heritage, create the ideal environment for producing wines with complexity and structure.

At the heart of these vineyards are the native Portuguese grape varieties Antão Vaz and Arinto. These grapes are perfectly adapted to Alentejo’s heat, with Antão Vaz known for retaining freshness and acidity under intense sunlight, while Arinto contributes a zesty, citrus profile and crisp acidity to the final blend. The vineyards are part of the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation, which is committed to sustainable viticulture, ensuring the highest quality fruit for Pêra-Manca.

Winemaking

Pêra-Manca White is a blend of Antão Vaz and Arinto, carefully hand-harvested at peak ripeness. The grapes are destemmed and gently crushed before undergoing fermentation in a combination of stainless steel vats and French oak barrels at a controlled temperature of 16°C. This process preserves the wine's vibrant fruit purity while allowing for the development of subtle oak complexity.

After fermentation, the wine is aged on the lees for 12 months, with regular batonnage (lees stirring), which enhances its creamy texture and complexity. Before release, the wine undergoes an additional 12 months of bottle ageing, ensuring it reaches the perfect balance of freshness, depth, and elegance.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Brilliant pale gold with green highlights, suggesting youth and freshness.
  • Aroma: A complex bouquet of ripe citrus, white peach, and tropical fruits, with hints of lime blossom and subtle oak.
  • Palate: Rich and structured, with flavors of apricot, pineapple, and lime, underpinned by a creamy mouthfeel from lees ageing. A bright acidity adds balance, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish.

Did you know?

The Pêra-Manca brand has a history dating back to 1488, making it one of the oldest wine labels in Portugal. The wines of this region were so esteemed that they were aboard Pedro Álvares Cabral’s ship when he discovered Brazil in 1500, and today, Pêra-Manca remains a symbol of Portuguese excellence.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Bacalhau à Brás: The wine’s bright acidity and creamy texture perfectly complement the richness of this traditional Portuguese salt cod dish.
  • Grilled Sea Bass with Lemon: The zesty citrus notes and minerality of Pêra-Manca highlight the delicate flavors of fresh fish, enhancing the lemon and herbs.
  • Mushroom Risotto: The creamy texture and oak nuances of the wine harmonize beautifully with the earthy flavors of mushroom risotto.
  • Roast Chicken with Thyme: The richness of the roast chicken pairs well with the wine’s subtle oak and vibrant fruit, creating a balanced and elegant combination.

History of Cartuxa

The history of Cartuxa is closely tied to the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation, founded by Vasco Maria Eugénio de Almeida. The foundation was created with a philanthropic mission to promote social, cultural, and educational development in the Alentejo region. Since taking ownership in 1963, the foundation has not only restored the estate but also ensured its role in producing some of Portugal’s finest wines.

Cartuxa gained international recognition when it revived the legendary Pêra-Manca wine label in 1990. This wine has become synonymous with excellence, especially the Pêra-Manca Tinto, often regarded as one of Portugal’s greatest wines. Historically, the Pêra-Manca wine was said to be on the ships that Pedro Álvares Cabral used when he discovered Brazil in 1500.

Region and Vineyards

Cartuxa’s vineyards are spread across 1,050 hectares of prime Alentejo terroir, with 650 hectares owned directly by the winery and 400 hectares leased long-term. The vineyards are situated in the Alentejo DOC – Évora, a region famous for its hot Mediterranean climate and granitic soils. These conditions are ideal for growing native Portuguese grape varieties like Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Trincadeira, and Antão Vaz. The combination of old vines and modern viticulture techniques allows Cartuxa to craft wines that reflect the full potential of the region.

Wine Range

Cartuxa offers a diverse range of wines, from their entry-level wines like Foral de Évora to their premium labels such as Cartuxa Colheita and the flagship Pêra-Manca. The winery produces both red and white wines, with an emphasis on indigenous grape varieties. The Pêra-Manca Tinto is particularly revered for its richness, complexity, and longevity, while the Pêra-Manca Branco showcases finesse and balance. The Cartuxa label, which includes both red and white wines, represents the heart of their production, known for their consistency and quality.

Did you know?

The Pêra-Manca wine was once aboard the ships of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the Portuguese explorer who discovered Brazil in 1500. This historical connection adds to the legendary status of Pêra-Manca today, making it one of the most sought-after wines in Portugal and among collectors worldwide.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 92 Points (2018)
This refined white is well-crafted, with an elegant profile packed with pineapple filling, mango and tangerine flavors, showing accents of vanilla, honeysuckle and oak spice, followed by a mouthwatering finish. Antão Vaz and Arinto.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2017)
The 2017 Pêra-Manca Branco is a 55/45 blend of Arinto and Antão Vaz, aged for 12 months in 75% used French oak. It comes in at 13% alcohol. This is sourced from 30-year-old vines on granitic soil. A fine vintage for this brand, this Branco shows good concentration, notable power, freshness and some tension on the finish. The textured finish lingers nicely. The wine evolves and blossoms as it airs too, becoming more complex and pulling in some of the wood. It's a beautiful food wine. It was terrific the next day, but it ideally needs time. To be sure, you can enjoy this now, but giving it another couple of years in the cellar would be a better idea. It still has upside potential, and it may improve with a couple of years of cellaring. It should age well, perhaps better than indicated, so there is no rush.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 93 Points (2016)
The wood-aged blend of Antão Vaz and Arinto is certainly ripe, full and spicy, with great intensity. Even at three years, this impressive wine is still young. Its peppy fruit needs a little more time to calm down. This wine is very fine, despite a needlessly heavy bottle, and will be ready from 2020.

Cartuxa Evora Colheita Tinto 2019
Cartuxa Evora Colheita Tinto 2019
Cartuxa
Evora Colheita Tinto 2019
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91
Cartuxa Colheita Tinto is a full-bodied and expressive red, ideal for lovers of powerful wines. Its balance between ripe fruit, tannic structure, and freshness makes it a refined choice.
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Cartuxa Colheita Branco 2022
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Colheita Branco 2022
RP
88
The Cartuxa Colheita Branco is a vibrant and refreshing white wine from the Alentejo DOC – Évora, showcasing a beautiful blend of Arinto, Antão Vaz, and Roupeiro grapes. It is an elegant expression of the region’s terroir, with great complexity and balance.
24,90 €
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Cartuxa Tinto Reserva 2018
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