The wine "António Madeira Os Granitos 2023", produced in the Serra da Estrela sub-region, received 100 points from American critic James Suckling, becoming the first non-fortified Portuguese wine to achieve the maximum score assigned by this specialist, according to the Regional Wine Commission of Dão. This distinction places this wine among the Portuguese products with the highest international recognition and represents an affirmation of the quality and viticultural potential of the Dão region.
The wine is produced using biodynamic methods, with a recommended retail price of 64 euros, and results from high-altitude viticulture based on the recovery of old vines located at the foot of the Serra da Estrela. The vines used are between 50 and 120 years old and are situated between 450 and 600 metres of altitude, conditions that allow for slower ripening and contribute to the preservation of the natural acidity of the grapes.
Producer António Madeira, born in Paris, developed in the Serra da Estrela a project focused on the recovery of old high-altitude vines and the production of terroir wines with minimal intervention. The producer stated that it is a huge pride to receive this recognition, which results from great dedication and work, and that when he received the news he was precisely putting the 2026 harvest of this wine into the lagar.
For the president of CVR Dão, Manuel Pinheiro, this distinction represents an unequivocal affirmation of the quality and potential of the region and constitutes an extraordinary recognition for António Madeira, but also a source of pride for the entire region and for all those who daily work to enhance the value of Dão. The maximum score assigned by James Suckling reinforces the international visibility of Dão and the region's capacity to produce wines with an identity and quality recognised at the highest level.
