Crasto Superior Red
Douro DOC, Douro Valley
Tasting Notes
Deep dark violet colour. The nose is complex and engaging, o ering aromas of wild berry fruits in perfect harmony with fresh hints of wood forest and fine spice. The palate starts in an elegant way, evolving into a wine of excellent volume and solid structure, with silky tannins giving a smooth texture. The finish is balanced and long lingering. This is an appealing wine that shows the unique identity of the Douro Superior.
Vintage Notes
2020 was an extremely demanding year, not only due to the global pandemic, but also the harsh weather conditions that were particularly hot and dry during the critical grape ripening period. This was the warmest winter since 2005, accompanied however, with high rainfall, especially in December, both at Quinta da Cabreira (Douro Superior) and Quinta do Crasto (Cima Corgo). March to June were also hot and rainy, leading to an early budburst, which occurred about ten days earlier than usual. This weather was particularly worrisome as it represented a risk of potential vine disease and required rigorous monitoring by the viticulture team to avoid potential infection. July and August were hot, but soil water was fortunately su icient to ensure correct grape ripening. However, it was essential not to miss the optimal harvest time, so as to prevent grape dehydration. The harvest started on 17 August and ended on 25 September. The yield was a lower than average with smaller bunches and smaller berries with an excellent skin-to-pulp ratio, which were, thus, highly concentrated. This Covid-19 vintage benefitted from all the professionalism and dedication of the Quinta do Crasto team and yielded white wines with excellent balance, freshness and aromatic definition and very complete reds with highly expressive fruit, seductive texture, and great persistence.
Winemaking Notes
The grapes, coming from our property Quinta da Cabreira in the Douro Superior sub-region, are taken to the winery in plastic boxes and rigorously inspected on a sorting table on arrival. The grapes are then completely destemmed and slightly crushed. A er this, the must is transferred to temperature- controlled stainless steel tanks.
Aged in French oak barrels for about 12 months.
Vineyard Notes
Age of Vines: 19 years old
Aspect, Soil and Altitude: East - North, 130 - 450 metres
Landscaping: Vinha ao alto (rows of vines planted up and down the slope) and patamares (terraces) with one and two rows of vines
Technical Info
Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Sousão
Alcohol: 14%
Total Acidity: 5,1 gr/L
pH: 3,7
Residual Sugar: 1,7 gr/L
Tasting Notes
Crasto Superior is fresh and balanced on the nose. Fresh on the palate, great body and ripe firm tannins. Very complex notes of dark berried fruits, gum cistus and cocoa lingering towards the elegant finish. Excellent length.
Vintage Notes
Adverse weather conditions made 2016 a complex year. The winter saw generous levels of rainfall, far above the average for the last thirty years. It was also warmer than usual through the end of January. The rain continued into early spring, but it was accompanied by an considerable fall in temperatures that slowed the growth of the vines. July and August were extremely hot and dry. The rainy winter had provided abundant water reserves that yielded lush vines with excellent canopies. The grapes were ripening well, if slowly. Quinta do Crasto saw 18mm of rain on 24 and 25 August, which was of great benefit to the vines. This, together with a fall in temperatures in early September, gave rise to the perfect ripening of the grapes. The white grape harvest began on 2 September and the first red wine grapes began coming into the winery on 5 September. The good weather continued throughout the harvest, enhancing maturation and this allowed us to pinpoint the exact moment to pick each particular vineyard or variety. As a result, the whites, reds and Ports made this year had excellent colour, deep aromas and serious structure, as well as being elegant and well-balanced. The complexity of this harvest meant the viticultural and winemaking team had to spend considerable time in the vineyards so as to make the most important decisions that would lead to great wines.
Winemaking Notes
- Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Souzão
- Winemaking: The grapes, coming from our property Quinta da Cabreira in the Douro Superior sub-region are taken to the winery in plastic boxes and rigorously inspected on a sorting table on arrival. The grapes are then completely destemmed and slightly crushed. After this, the must is transferred to temperature- controlled stainless steel tanks.
- Ageing: In French oak barrels for about 12 months.
Tasting Notes
Bright purple in colour, with attractive aromas of fresh wild berry fruit and elegant notes of spices. Balanced on the palate, evolving into a wine with a serious backbone, excellent volume and a fine texture made of velvety tannins. This is a captivating wine, with a fresh and lingering finish.
Vintage Notes
2015 was a dry but well-balanced year that was saved by the right amount of rainfall at exactly the right moment. July and August were mild, with hot days and cold nights, which had a positive influence on the ripening of the grapes. The white grape harvest began on 21 August and the first red wine grapes arrived in the winery from the Quinta da Cabreira in the Douro Superior on 29 August. Weather conditions throughout the harvest were favourable. Rain on 15 and 16 September favoured the final ripening of some of the grapes, namely that of the Touriga Nacional. The white and red wines from this year show excellent aromatic distinctiveness and compact structures made up of high quality, rounded tannins. This is a year whose wines stand out for their generous fruit, natural freshness and extraordinary elegance.
Winemaking Notes
The grapes, coming from our property Quinta da Cabreira in the Douro Superior sub-region, are taken to the winery in plastic boxes and rigorously inspected on a sorting table on arrival. The grapes are then completely destemmed and slightly crushed. After this, the must is transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Ageing: In French oak barrels for about 12 months