For the connoisseurs a real privilege and very special wine. Since the first edition in 1998, this red wine has been one of the great Portuguese wines with the highest awards in the national and international press. Deep ruby in colour. The nose is impressive, showing lots of complexity and aromatic freshness, with wild berry fruit aromas, delicate spice, and elegant notes of gum cistus. The palate starts in an appealing way, evolving into a complex wine, with excellent volume and a solid structure made of fresh, fine-textured tannins. The finish is lovely, fresh and lingering. This is a unique wine that mirrors the distinctive personality and identity of a hundred-year-old vineyard planted in an exceptional, challenging terroir
After 2017 and 2018 yields significantly below the decade average, 2019 proved to be much more generous and more in line with what we are used to at Quinta do Crasto. However, it was still a challenging year, with a dry winter and spring depleting the vines' necessary soil water reserves. We found, however, that in the months of June, July and August, the vines had well-balanced and healthy canopies, without great signs of water stress. We attributed this balance to the mild temperatures from May to late August — 5ºC lower
than the previous 5-year average at Quinta do Crasto. This contributed positively to a slow and well-balanced ripening of the grapes during July and August. Exceptional levels of ripeness resulted. The 2019 harvest took place very calmly, with cold nights and hot, dry days that enabled picking at the ideal moment. The rain on 21 and 22 September was essential, as it helped to refine the ripening of later varieties, namely Touriga Franca. The 2019 harvest began with the first white grapes from Quinta do Crasto arriving to the winery on 26 August and finished on 11 October when the berries from the highest altitude vineyards came in. On balance, 2019 yielded highly expressive white wines, with excellent concentration and extraordinary freshness. Our red wines also reflect the equilibrium enjoyed during the vegetative cycle. They are highly complete wines, with vibrant aromas, excellent concentration, solid structure and, above all, they are well-balanced with excellent ageing potential
Food pairing
Excellent wine for hearty meals with red grilled or roasted meat, lamb and game dishes. This is also a wine with which you can perfectly close a meal.
Grapes
a mixture of 30 old grape varieties including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Francisca, Sousão, Rufete, Arinto & Rabigato. About 20 months in new oak barrels (90% French oak; 10% American oak). The final wine is made
from a selection of the finest barrels.
Alcoholcontent
14,5%
pH: 3,55
Store & Serve
Serve at 16-18 ° C
To drink from 2025 to 2050
Critics & Awards
20/20 - Grandes Escolhas Tasted: Dec 2023
98/100 - Robert Parker The Wine Advocate Tasted: May 2022