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![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Touriga-Nacional-nv-251x1024.png)
Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional
Douro DOC, Douro Valley
Tasting Notes
Deep purple in colour. Extraordinary fresh on the nose, showing lovely aromas of violet and wild berry fruit. The palate is elegant and evolves into a wine that o ers excellent volume and a solid structure made of lively and fine-textured tannins. This is an appealing wine that finishes with great balance, freshness and persistence.
Vintage Notes![](https://www.foliowine.com/wp-content/themes/folio-theme-20171229-2120/dist/images/arrows-down.png)
A er the hot and dry year of 2017, the winter of 2018 brought little relief in terms of precipitation. In fact, there was hardly any rain at all from October 2017 until February 2018. Then, the first rains began late in the month and continued in abundance until mid-June. The spring was wet and mild in temperature, which led to considerable problems with mildew between flowering and fruit set. This was an unusual problem for most Douro Valley grape growers. We had to ready to act at precisely the right moment, as there was no margin of error in controlling for vineyard health. At the end of July came the veraison, and the grapes began to ripen. August was hot and dry. Thankfully, the spring rains had le soil water reserves that allowed the vines to do their job and produce an excellent canopy. Outstanding grape ripeness was the result. Cold nights and hot, dry September days allowed late-ripening grape varieties such as Touriga Franca to reach excellent levels of ripeness. The 2018 harvest began with the arrival of the first white grapes from Quinta do Crasto on August 29, and we wrapped up on October 14 with the last grapes from the highest altitude vineyards. On balance, 2018 brought exceptional balance and freshness to our white wines; our reds turned out concentrated, with outstanding structure and freshness, and clearly defined aromas. The Port wines show excellent ageing potential.
Winemaking Notes![](https://www.foliowine.com/wp-content/themes/folio-theme-20171229-2120/dist/images/arrows-down.png)
The grapes, coming from the best Touriga Nacional plots of Quinta do Crasto, are brought to the winery in 22 kg plastic boxes where they undergo strict selection. After complete destemming and slight crushing, the juice is transferred to temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Once the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the juice is gently pressed.
Aged 18 Months in French oak barrels.
Vineyard Notes![](https://www.foliowine.com/wp-content/themes/folio-theme-20171229-2120/dist/images/arrows-down.png)
Age of Vines: 36 years old
Aspect, Soil and Altitude: East - South - West - North, 300 metres
Landscaping: Socalcos (terraces supported by stone walls)
Technical Info![](https://www.foliowine.com/wp-content/themes/folio-theme-20171229-2120/dist/images/arrows-down.png)
Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 5,3 gr/L
pH: 3.57
Residual Sugar: 1,8 gr/L
Tasting Notes
Deep purple in colour. The nose shows elegant notes of violet with delicate hints of fresh spice and wild berry fruit. Well-balanced on the palate, evolving into a wine of excellent volume, with fine-textured tannins and aromas of violet. The finish is fresh and lingering. An engaging wine that mirrors the unique identity of the Touriga Nacional grape variety.
Vintage Notes![](https://www.foliowine.com/wp-content/themes/folio-theme-20171229-2120/dist/images/arrows-down.png)
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![](https://www.foliowine.com/wp-content/themes/folio-theme-20171229-2120/dist/images/arrows-down.png)
The grapes, coming from the best Touriga Nacional plots of Quinta do Crasto, are brought to the winery in 22 kg plastic boxes where they undergo strict selection. After complete destemming and slight crushing, the juice is transferred to temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Once the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the juice is gently pressed. Aging: 18 Months in French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes
Bright purple in colour, showing attractive aromas of fresh violets well integrated with notes of black cherry and fresh spices. Well-balanced on the palate, evolving into a wine with a solid structure and a fine texture made of velvety tannins. A stylish wine, with a fresh, captivating, lingering finish.
Vintage Notes![](https://www.foliowine.com/wp-content/themes/folio-theme-20171229-2120/dist/images/arrows-down.png)
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![](https://www.foliowine.com/wp-content/themes/folio-theme-20171229-2120/dist/images/arrows-down.png)
The grapes, coming from the best Touriga Nacional plot of Quinta do Crasto, are taken to the winery in 22 kg plastic boxes and rigorously inspected on arrival. The grapes are first foot trodden in a traditional stone tank (lagar) and after this, they are transferred into an open stainless steel tank where the cap is pressed down with robotic pistons. Fermentation takes place for 7 days under strict controlled temperature environment. Once the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the grape are gently pressed using hydraulic presses. Ageing: In French oak barrels for about 18 months.