Quinta dos Carvalhais Tinto Unico 2015

€ 81.00

Quinta dos Carvalhais Único is, as the name implies, a unique wine, an exceptionally elegant red Dão, with intensely delicate flavors and personality, unique in the region. This wine from Quinta dos Carvalhais Único 2015 is a real delicacy, which is reflected in both color and aromas. It is a wine with notes of black fruit and wild fruit, resinous nuances, aromas of forest, moss, pine, "sous-bois" and a very fresh mint note. It is the exact expression of the terroir of Quinta dos Carvalhais. It has a firm and defined attack, with polished tannins, in a fresh, elegant and enveloping body. The aromatic complexity is confirmed on the palate, complemented by some floral notes that linger in a voluminous, delicate, long and lingering finish.

Food-Pairing

This incredibly gastronomic wine is perfect for meal-times and pairs wonderfully with slightly fatty dishes, such as octopus "à lagareiro" or oven-roasted meats.

Grapes: 88% Touriga Nacional, 6% Alfrocheiro, 6% Field Blend

The grapes were harvested per grape variety and per plot in 20 kg boxes, where they were subjected to strict quality controls. Separately vinified in stainless steel barrels. Alcoholic fermentation took place over a period of about 8 days at an average temperature of 28ºC. The Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro remained in maceration for a further 8 days after fermentation. After the alcoholic fermentation, the malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel vats. The wine is aged for 18 months in 225 liter used and new French oak barrels. After maturation, the wine underwent a light clarification and filtration prior to bottling. It was then bottled without cold stabilization treatment, which can allow a natural deposit to form in the bottle over time.

Store & Serve

Keep in a cool, dry place. Serve at between 16ºC-18ºC. This wine should be decanted after 4-5 years of age. This wine has great ageing potential and will evolve positively for the next 15 years, if stored in good conditions. Once opened, consume the same day; however, this wine should retain its quality for 24 hours if stoppered with a vacuum seal.

Alcoholcontent

14,5 %vol

pH: 3,6

Critics & Awards

4,4/5 - Vivino (126 ratings)

95/100 - The Wine Advocate Robert Parker

The 2015 Tinto Único (Quinta dos Carvalhais) is mostly Touriga Nacional with 6% Alfrocheiro and 6% a field blend, aged for 18 months in 70% used French barriques. In the past, it was a monovarietal. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. This is just the third release since this wine began in 2005. This is a "wow" from the first moment you smell it, the aromatics pungent and powerful. Then, there's the tannic power—it is tight and gripping, not too astringent but not exactly soft and easy. The mid-palate is all about finesse, while the wine adds freshness and elegance. It seems very much like a classic Dão red. It is not a show-off wine, at least once past that fragrant Touriga nose. Rather, it is sophisticated and refined, a youngster only taking its first steps and able to age for a couple of decades. It is going to need some time to come around, too, notwithstanding the late release. Don't buy this if you are the impatient type. While this is unevolved now, it looks like it will be a stunner in time. Not that it is so bad today! To get the full experience, though, you might have to wait until 2025, give or take. It may improve beyond expectations if you give it some time. There were 479 cases produced.

Tags: Quinta dos Carvalhais - Dao