Ten small plots, field blends of old vines (50-100 years old) on granitic soils, cultivated biodynamically, all vinified separately, Burgundy style, and blended after ageing. These are the reds harvested from the field blend (60-70% of the vineyard), typically Baga, Jaen and Tinta Amarela dominate. Fermented in lagar and aged for 18 months, parcel by parcel, in used French and Austrian oak, mostly 500 or 600 liters.

Deep crimson color. Gloriously aromatic, with pure, unsweetened red fruits. Beautiful tannins: fine without being light, soft without being anodyne. Like many layers of silk. Fresh, young, with a subtle intensity and great harmony and length. Refined, pure and with the character of the Dão shining through the fruit of the old vines.

The old-vine red 2021 Vinhas Velhas Tinto comes from different plots of mixed varieties, 75% of them Baga, Jaen and Tinta Amarela and the rest some 20 old varieties, some almost lost, Marufo, Tinta Pinheira, Negro Mouro, Tinta Carvalha, Bastardo, Alfrocheiro, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet and many others. The fermentation was inspired by Henri Jayer, a cold soak and a soft vinification, he calls an infusion. It matured in 225-, 400-, 500- and 600-liter oak barrels for 18 months. It has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.69 and 6.01 grams of acidity. Madeira told me that the search is "for a wine with intense flavors, depth, mineral, fresh and with salivating saltiness, a wine for the table." In 2021, the wines have lower alcohol, and somehow, this wine feels a little more marked by the oak despite the fact that the oak was all used. It has fine tannins and good freshness, very tasty flavors and a fine thread. 7,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2023.