# Proibido Reserva Tinto (2023)

- **Producer:** Márcio Lopes Winemaker
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Old Vines
- **Region:** Douro, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €12
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, cherry, vanilla, toast, cedar

## About this wine

Proibido ('Forbidden') was launched in 2010 by winemaker Márcio Lopes after gaining international winemaking experience in Australia and working alongside Anselmo Mendes in Vinho Verde. The name reflects his rebellious mission to rescue abandoned older vines across the Douro region. This Reserva bottling highlights the left bank of the Douro Superior in Vila Nova de Foz Côa, where schist soils and cooler afternoon exposure help preserve remarkable freshness and elegance. Márcio Lopes was named Portugal's Winemaker of the Year (Enólogo do Ano) in 2019 by Revista de Vinhos.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Proibido' symbolizes the rescue of abandoned and neglected old vineyards across the Douro region.
- Grapes are crushed using traditional human foot-treading in historic granite lagares during fermentation.
- Winemaker Márcio Lopes was voted Winemaker of the Year in Portugal in 2019 by Revista de Vinhos.

## Food pairing

The combination of structured medium-plus tannins and vibrant acidity in this Douro red enables it to match rich, savory red meats and game. The proteins in the meat soften the wine's tannins while the acidity cleanses the palate from rich fats and oils.

## Wine making process

Grapes are manually harvested into small 18–20 kg crates to protect fruit integrity. In the cellar, bunches are completely destemmed and traditional foot-treading is conducted in granite lagares, where fermentation lasts approximately 10 days. The wine matures for 6 months in oak barrels (80% used, 20% new) followed by 3 months of bottle aging prior to commercial release.