Quinta Vale Dona Maria Vinha do Moinho 2012 Red

€ 295.00

The color, with nuances of evolution, introduces a complex aroma, rich in balsamic, smoky and spice notes, with a background of ripe fruit. In the mouth, it is full and fruity at the beginning of the tasting. Very balanced, dense and concentrated, the fine, sweet and firm tannins show an extraordinary ageing capacity. Similarly to the movement of water, used in mills, the movement of time, that cradles Vinha do Moinho 2012, irrigates an unmistakable personality and a unique character. A DNA that is born in the fingerprints of a special terroir, that only time can shape.

Vinha do Moinho was acquired in 2001 by Cristiano van Zeller, founder of Quinta Vale D. Maria. Away from the heart of Quinta Vale D. Maria, the access to “Vinha do Moinho” by road is extremely difficult and tortuous .The “Vinha do Moinho” vineyard is divided into two parts: one facing west, and another, on a smaller slope, facing south. It is in the latter that we can find the oldest vineyard, with more than 80 years, which is the birthplace of this wine. With an altitude between 260 and 305 meters, “Vinha do Moinho” is a traditional old Douro vineyard, planted in a field blend, where you can find a variety of grape varieties, with a predominance of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Barroca.Harvest after harvest, the fruit of this special vine stood out from the other lots at Quinta Vale D. Maria, drawing Cristiano van Zeller’s attention to something he felt was unique. In 2012 he made the decision to separate this crop, in order to observe how it would continue to evolve. After selecting the best barrels, they were bottled separately. The result would be a wine of exceptional quality, with a very limited production of just 512 bottles, bottled in July 2014.

Food pairing

Delicious with fine red meat, roasted and grilled meat dishes

Grapes : Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca.

Maceration and fermentation in a traditional granite lagar with foot treading, four times a day, until the malolactic fermentation ended. During the fermentation, the temperatures were controlled (±26ºC). This field blend presents a unique elegance, complexity and fruit preservation due to its 18-month ageing period in new extra fine-grain French oak barrels, followed by ageing in bottle.

The winter (December-February) was the driest in the last 40 years. This reflected immediately in the water levels in the soil. April and May brought some precipitation and eased the drought at Quinta Vale D. Maria. Thermometers, however, marked the lowest averages in recent years, particularly the minimum temperatures during the winter, and the average summer temperatures. July and August were relatively fresh, with thermometers recording an average of 23ºC. The average temperatures of the last 21 years have been 25ºC in July and 25.3ºC in August. These lower temperatures in both summer months had a positive impact in the vineyard and on the quality of the grapes. The climatic evolution in August (fresh) and September (hot in the first two weeks and two days of rain towards the end) gave rise to significant variations in the maturation. The harvest began in Quinta Vale D. Maria on September 13th and ran very well. Overall, due to the excellent sanitary conditions of the grapes, resulting in grapes with great balance of their different components, 2012 was a great vintage.

Alcohol content

14 %vol

pH: 3,74

Store & Serve

Serve at 15° - 17°C

Critics & Awards

18/20 - Revista de Vinhos Tasted: Dec 2014

94/100 - Wine Spectator Tasted: Jul 2015

94/100 - Wine Enthusiast Tasted: Jan 2015

Named after the daughter of owner Cristiano van Zeller, this wine serendipitously has Tinta Francisca in the blend. It's a major statement of the quality of old vines on tough soil that marks the Douro. Big tannins and a dark, brooding character show the youth of the wine, while the powerful structure promises long aging. Drink from 2019.

Tags: Quinta Vale Dona Maria - Douro