Quinto do Crasto - Douro Reserva Old Vines 2016
Price: $45.25
| Producer | Quinto do Crasto |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Porto |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Sku | 08342 |
Quinto do Crasto Description
Made from grapes coming from old vines at Quinta do Crasto averaging around 70 years of age, Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines is an authentic blend of the best that the Douro has to offer. It has built a solid national and international reputation due to its excellent price/quality ratio and to the ample number of bottles available on the market. Quinta do Crasto has 40 hectares of old vines divided amongst 42 vineyard lots, the most famous of which are the Vinha da Ponte and Vinha Maria Teresa. Each of these plots of old vines is planted in dozens of mixed varieties and produces, on average, 3,000 litres/hectare. The yield, of course, varies from year to year according to the decisions of the winemaking team as they craft the full range of wines made from these old vines, including the varietals. Given the productive restraints, the number of Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines bottles varies significantly but it ranges from 80,000 to 90,000 annually. The low yield of these old vines, together with the 18 months that the wine ages in French and American oak barrels in the temperature-controlled Barrel Cellar, makes Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines a complex and concentrated wine.
Tasting Notes: Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines shows complex aromas, with well-integrated fruit and oak notes and a hint of spice. Intense and deep on the palate, it is well balanced by the firm structure of the tannins and delivers a long and lingering finish. It is ideal to accompany hearty meat and game dishes. Since it is bottled unfiltered, some sediment may form during bottle ageing.
Wine Enthusiast: 94 Points
A blend of 30 grape varieties from vines aged at least 70 years old, this wine boasts density and a firm structure. It’s powered by tannins, dark black-fruit flavors and great concentration, and is an impressive wine that needs much more time.
Wine Spectator: 93 Points
Seamless flavors of sandalwood, steeped cherry, espresso and boysenberry are packed into this brooding red, with undertones of slate, savory spice, hoisin sauce and anise that gain traction on the plush, lengthy finish. Impressive energy and concentration.
Wine Advocate: 93 Points
The 2016 Reserva Old Vines (an average age of 70 years) represents 37 of Crasto's 42 plots and/or small vineyards of old vines. In 2016, three were discarded for poor performance, while Maria Teresa and Ponte were not included because they were bottled separately this year. It was aged for 16 to 18 months, depending on lot, in 65% new oak (85/15 French and American) and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Solid in the mid-palate, this has impressive depth and a seductive demeanor. The finish lingers beautifully. After an initial creamy hit of texture, it becomes silkier and sensual. Beautifully balanced, this has moderate tannins. It drank well after some hours of double decanting, but it is not really ready to drink. It will be much better around 2023, although it is approachable.
