Alcohol: 14%
Grape(s): Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta barroca
Localisation: Douro, Portugal
Tasting Notes: Dark ruby in color. Excellent aroma intensity, with floral notes of violet and expressive aromas of wild fruits. On the palate it starts in an appealing way, evolving into a balanced wine, with excellent volume and structure. The tannins are soft in texture and well-integrated with fine retronasal hints of wild fruits. A seductive wine, with great freshness and a lingering finish.
90 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The 2017 Tinto, in bottle about four months when first seen, is a blend of Tinta Roriz (30%), Touriga Franca (25%), Touriga Nacional (35%) and Tinta Barroca (10%). About 15% (a deliberate increase from what used to be a nominal 5%) of the blend was aged in second use French oak for six months, the rest in tank. Crasto's idea with the increase in oak going forward is to change the wine's texture a bit and add a bit of gravitas. This has come together really well since last seen, fleshing out, showing a bit more power and (most importantly) vivid flavor. I'm not sure if this will hold serve throughout its useful life, but at the moment, it is worth leaning up on this succulent but fresh Tinto. It comes in at 14% alcohol.
The Domain: Nestled on a privileged location in the Douro, Quinta do Crasto is one of the oldest winemaking estates in the region – the name ‘Crasto’ is derived from the Latin word ‘castrum’, which means ‘Roman fort’. The first known references to Quinta do Crasto can be traced back to 1615, long before the Douro became the world’s first Demarcated Wine Region in 1756. In the early 1900s, Quinta do Crasto was purchased by Constantino de Almeida, the founder of the famous Constantino Port house. Today, his granddaughter, Leonor Roquette, and her husband Jorge Roquette own and manage the estate, together with their sons, Miguel and Tomás. The Roquette family has invested tremendous time, attention, and resources to rebuild and expand the vineyards and facilities to produce top-quality Port and Douro table wines. Vineyard mapping, DNA-matched replanting, a new state-of-the-art wine cellar and centuries of tradition mean that no detail in the winemaking and vineyard management is overlooked.
Quinta do Crasto produces different styles of port and table wines each year. Together with their winemakers and their entire team, they seek to produce year after year wines that display the unique and beautiful characteristics of the Douro, through a tireless devotion to tradition, integrity and excellence.
