Quinta do Crasto Reserva 2022 Red Vinhas Velhas
€ 39.91
Deep ruby in colour. The nose is very expressive, revealing the unique characteristics of our old vines: complex aromas of forest aroma's, gum cistus and berry fruit well integrated. Elegant on the palate, evolving into a firm wine, with excellent volume and a compact structure made of fresh, velvety-textured tannins. This is a wine with a distinctive identity and a long lingering, balanced finish. A wine with a solid national and international reputation and an excellent price / quality ratio. Remarkably complex, it embodies and reflects the essence of the old vines of Quinta do Crasto.
Food pairing
Excellent wine for hearty meals with red grilled or roast meat, lamb and game dishes
Grapes: Composed of 20 to 30 of the best local grape varieties with vines of 70 years and older.
Matures about 18 months in French oak barrels (85%) and American oak barrels (15%)
2022 was characterized as an extremely dry year. Reduced rainfall throughout most of the vegetative cycle, as well as the high temperatures recorded during the spring and summer months, had a significant impact on both the quantity and ripening of the grapes. The winter period, or dormancy of the vines, between November and February, recorded very low rainfall values, and from June onwards the region entered a severe drought, reaching 46.5°C in Pinhão, the highest value ever recorded in Portugal. It should be noted that the minimum temperatures during the night in these periods were also high, not allowing the vines to recover during the night. Due to the high temperatures, there was an anticipation of flowering and the veraison phase. Despite a good bunch formation, the impact of the climatic conditions was significant, with the bunches and berries being smaller than usual, also demonstrating the extreme resilience of the vines, which defended themselves against the drought that set in right at the beginning of their cycle. Ripening checks were brought forward to the beginning of August, with the harvest starting on August 18th, with the white grape varieties. This was the second earliest harvest, after that of 2017. Ripening analyses showed some abnormality in the development of the berry compounds, with low sugar and acidity levels compared to average values, a situation explained by the observed climatic conditions. Despite the unusual climatic conditions throughout the year, the old vines of Quinta do Crasto ended up being a positive surprise, with the vines adapting well and producing excellent quality. This good performance is explained by the age of the vines, with a good root system, capable of reaching deeper soils with some level of moisture, size and training system that protects them from water stress and low yields. The exposure and essentially the elevation of the different plots were preponderant factors in terms of production, with the lower quotas showing much lower yield levels compared to plots and vineyards at higher altitudes. The rainfall that occurred in the second week of September was of tremendous importance in terms of the quality of the musts.
Despite forcing the harvest to stop, there was an "unblocking" of the vines that reacted quickly to this availability of water, leading to an increase in yields and alcohol in the musts, without compromising the sanitary aspect of the production. The year 2022 was definitely challenging, with the wines showing moderate alcohol levels, balanced acidity, stable colors and good structure, but above all a fantastic elegance!
Alcoholcontent
14%vol
pH: 3.72
Store & Serve
Serve at 16-18°C
To drink up to 20 years after harvest year
Critics & Awards
4,5/5 - Vivino (123 ratings)
92/100 - VertdeVin Tasted: Mar 2025
94/100 - Revista Adega Tasted: Sep 2025
Elaborado a partir de mais de 30 castas oriundas de vinhas com mais de 70 anos, este tinto do Douro impressiona pela profundidade e complexidade em camadas. Envelhecido por 18 meses em barricas de carvalho francês e americano, revela frutas vermelhas frescas, cassis, alcaçuz, notas minerais e toques de especiarias. A acidez vibrante e a estrutura firme conferem equilíbrio e elegância ao conjunto. Um vinho sofisticado, com final longo, preciso e cheio de energia, que reafirma a excelência das vinhas velhas do Crasto. Álcool 14%
Producer: Quinta do Crasto
Region: Douro