Quinta do Piloto is a family estate on the Setubal peninsula south of Lisbon, specialising in the traditional sweet Moscatel of the region. Owner Filipe Cardoso is the fourth generation making wine, and his great grandfather Humberto was instrumental in the development of Moscatel de Setubal as a style.
The ripe Moscatel grapes are fermented partially in concrete anfora before fortification to 17% to leave plenty of natural sweetness then aged with the skins for 2 years. This aging with the skins extracts the delicious aromas of Moscatel, and making the wine without wood allows that beautiful fruit to show through.
Fig, dried mango and apricot mingle with orange blossom and nutty notes on the nose. The palate is luscious and sweet, but balanced with lovely freshness leaving a lingering taste of candied citrus peel.