Quinta do Crasto Altitude 430 Tinto 2022
€ 18.40
Crasto Altitude 430 is low in alcohol, as is typical of grapes grown not only at high altitudes (430 meters) but also with a northern exposure. Thus, it showcases all the freshness and elegance of the Tinta Francisca and Touriga Nacional grapes grown under these conditions. Garnet in colour, it has clean and clearly defined aromas, with red fruit notes in perfect harmony with hints of fine spices and aromatic woodlands, all of which come together with great elegance. In the mouth, it is engaging, with serious volume and exceptionally fine texture. A highly seductive wine, Crasto Altitude 430, has come to open up a new chapter in the Quinta do Crasto story and to put on display our ability to produce highly distinctive Douro wines.
Garnet in colour. The nose oers expressive notes of red fruit, perfectly balanced with delicate forest and fine spice aromas. The mouth starts in an engaging way, evolving into a wine of excellent volume and fine texture. This is a wine that embodies all the freshness and elegance that the Tinta Francisca and Touriga Nacional grapes deliver when planted at an altitude of 430 metres, with a north facing aspect. Seductive, with a fresh, elegant finish.
This wine stands out, firstly, due the typical Douro valley grapes – Tinta Francisca (70%) and Touriga Nacional (30%) blended purposely yield this particular wine profile. Tinta Francisca, when grown at altitude, is well recognized for presenting good freshness with intriguing aromas. It is light in colour but offers excellent structure. Touriga Nacional, is a very expressive variety which, at altitude, has optimal acidity and natural freshness whose red fruit aromas are fresher and lighter than those of Tourigas grown at lower altitudes. Crasto Altitude 430 also stands out due to a vinificiation process distinct from that of the rest of the Quinta do Crasto range.
Food pairing
Excellent wine with red meat, roast beef and grilled meat
Grapes: 70% Tinta Francisca; 30% Touriga Nacional
Vinha ao alto (rows of vines planted up and down the slope) and patamares (terraces) with one rows of vines. Vines are 15 years old
The grapes are taken to the winery in 22 kg boxes and undergo strict selection on arrival. Following a complete destemming and slight crushing, the juice is transferred to temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The juice ferments for 4 days in contact with the grape skins, with very gentle extraction. It is then pressed and transferred to wooden barrels where fermentation continues until it is completed. Aged for 12 months in French old oak barrels.
2022 was an extremely dry year. Lower than average rainfall throughout most of the growing season, together with high spring and summer temperatures, had a significant impact on both grape quantity and ripeness. The winter vine dormancy period was drier than normal and, from June onwards, the entire region suffered a severe drought accompanied by extreme heat. In fact, the highest temperature ever recorded in Portugal, 46.5º, took place in Pinhão. Particularly worrisome was that temperatures remained high at night, depriving the vines of the chance to cool off at end-of-day. Such high temperatures brought forward both the flowering and veraison. Although clusters were quite numerous, the negative impact of the weather yielded significantly smaller berries than usual with classic signs of extreme vine resilience as they defended themselves from the drought that set in early in their cycle. Ripeness monitoring was brought forward to early August, and the white varieties harvest began on 18 August. This was the second earliest harvest ever, after that of 2017. The analyses of ripeness identified some berry compound abnormality, with less sugar and acidity than normal, due to the forementioned weather conditions. Nevertheless, the old vines at Quinta do Crasto provided a pleasant surprise as the vines adapted well and produced excellent quality grapes. The vines were protected by their age and well-developed root systems with good conductivity that were able to reach deeper, moister soils, which protected them from water stress and low yields. Aspect and altitude of the dfferent vineyard plots were preponderant in determining production levels, with lower areas demonstrating much lower yields than higher ones. Rainfall in the second week of September was of tremendous benefit to grape juices quality. Although the harvest had to be interrupted, the vines reacted quickly to the availability of water by increasing both the yield and alcohol levels of the juices without compromising fruit health. Despite the challenges of 2022, the wines presented moderate alcohol levels with balanced acidity, stable colours and good structure and, above all, fantastic elegance!
Alcoholcontent
12,5 % vol
pH: 3,7
Store & Serve
Serve at 16-18°C.
Critics & Awards
91/100 - Tim Atkin Tasted: Apr 2026. When to drink: 2026 to 2029
91/100 - Wine Spectator Tasted: Feb 2026
Producer: Quinta do Crasto
Region: Douro