Quinta do Crasto

http://www.quintadocrasto.pt

With its natural strategic command of the river both up and down stream, it is not difficult to imagine this as the site of a Roman fort - for "Crasto" is a corruption, it is said, of the Latin "castrum" and, the remains of a Roman road can still be seen at no great distance from the quinta.  On the prperty one can still see the original demarcation posts from 1615.

 

International Wine Challenge (London)  awarded Quinta do Crasto the 2002 Portuguese Winery of the Year

 

International Wines & Spirits Magazine recognized Quinta do Crasto as the International Winery of the Year 1999

 

Quinta do Crasto is recognized by the international press and even more so by its customers as the premium producer of table wines and dated Ports - Vintage and LBV.

Douro Branco 2008

SKU 822700

Douro Tinto 2007

The steep terraces of the Douro valley in the north of Portugal are famous for the production of fortified wine. Its unique combination of grape varieties, dry climate and schistose soil also produce outstanding table wine.

 

Quinta do Crasto 2007 (a blend of hand picked 50% Tinta Roriz; 21% Tinta Barroca; and, 19% Touriga Francesa and 10% Touriga Nacional) was partially foot-trodden with pumping over and hand plunging,  is a rich flavoursome wine, showing intense Douro varietal berry and blackberry fruit aromas and well supported by full soft tannins and balanced acidity.  Lightly filtered prior to bottling in June 2008, this wine is enjoyable upon release with all medium to richly flavoured foods. 

 

 91/100 

SKU 499764

Douro Tinto Reserva 2007 Old Vines

The Quinta do Crasto Reserva 2007 was made from foot-trodden grapes coming from mixed varietal plantings of 75+ year-old vines from a single vineyard on the Quinta's Douro estate.

 

Exceptional growing conditions together with low yielding vines and 18 months ageing in French and American Oak barrels has resulted in a complex, powerful wine with great intensity and a richly textured palate. Well balanced by a firm tannic structure it has a long persistent finish. Bottled unfiltered in June 2009, the Douro Reserva 2007 is enjoyable now and will also reward long-term cellaring.

94/100 points  "Does Crasto have magic quality dust they sprinkle on their vines? The ’07 Reserva delivers from front to back in the glass and is so damned good it has to be scary for its international competitors. Typically complex (thanks to mixed plantings of 25 to 30 different grape varieties closing in on 80 years of age) the colour is dark, not black this year, and the flavours intense. Nutmeg, black plums and red fruits. Big and bold but elegant and stylish. Cellar for a decade and treat yourself to an extraordinary experience. The price/bottle ratio versus 2006 Lafite (in B.C.) is more than 20 to 1. I know what I’m buying." (2009-11-22)

SKU 489211

Douro Touriga Nacional 2006

Touriga Nacional has long been recognized as "the" premium grape variety in the Douro valley for the production of high quality fortified and table wines.

 

Following 14 months of ageing in French oak barrels, this wine shows a toasty, smoky bouquet with intense, spicy fruit characters. The palate is long focused and very elegant, with ripe concentrated fruit and well integrated oak, good balance and fine structured tannins. Bottled unfiltered in February 2008,the Quinta do Crasto 2006 Touriga Nacional will definitely repay long-term cellaring.

 

  93 Points

 

91/100  Intense peppery licorice/anise aromas mixed with spicy sausage and black plum jam underneath. Super smooth an elegant on the palate and much less rustic than the Tinta Roriz but with a little less extract. Fine aromatics and styling with mostly peppery anise and smoky tea character. A sophisticated red at a sophisticated price. A new Portugal indeed.

SKU 520015

Late Bottled Vintage Port 2003 Traditional Unfiltered .375L

Following its philosophy of only bottling wines under its own label from the best grapes of the Quinta in exceptional years; the LBV 2003 was produced from hand picked grapes of the Quinta's 45 to 65 year old vines. Natural yeast fermentation of a traditional foot trodden must was stopped using estate brandy.

 

This wine shows an intense, concentrated vinous aroma with plumy fruit. The palate is firm and well structured, showing good fruit depth. The finish is long, dry and elegant. It only gets better and better in the bottle.

 

Bottled unfiltered.

SKU 586990

Late Bottled Vintage Port 2004 Traditional Unfiltered .750L

Following its philosophy of only bottling wines under its own label from the best grapes of the Quinta in exceptional years; the LBV 2004 was produced from hand picked grapes of the Quinta's 45 to 65 year old vines. The natural yeast fermentation of a traditional foot trodden must was stopped using the estate's own brandy.

 

This wine shows an intense, concentrated vinous aroma with plumy fruit. The palate is firm and well structured, showing good fruit depth. Bottled unfiltered, the finish is long, dry and elegant. It only gets better and better in the bottle.

 

90/100  "Peppery, ash, spicy, rooty, licorice, dark plum, blueberry, savoury, dried fig aromas. Ripe, round, supple, elegant style with good acidity and sugar balance. Prune tobacco, peppery, blackberry jam, tea, licorice, ash, resin, chocolate flavours. Good finesse and length for current drinking or can age. The Crasto LBV is a blend of old mixed old vines containing 25 to 30 different local varieties averaging 60-years-old. The grapes are handpicked and are foot trodden in traditional stone lagares. It is bottled without any fining or filtration after five years in 9000 litres 100 per cent Portuguese oak barrels."

SKU 605048

Vinha da Ponte 2004

  95 Points  "Vibrant, lush and seductive, with a creamy core of boysenberry, dark cherry and cassis flavors. Mineral and smoke fill the long finish. Exquisite balance and a broad structure make this hard to resist. Like a dry Port. Drink now through 2014. 250 cases made" 

SKU 590398

Vinha Maria Teresa 2006

Maria Teresa is the oldest mixed vineyard at Quinta do Crasto with vines up to eighty-five years of age. The excellent exposure, very low yields and fruit of great quality gave the producer the opportunity to create a unique wine of exceptional concentration and complexity.

 

The grapes were foot-trodden in traditional old stone "lagares" where fermentation temperatures were controlled by a specially adapted cooling system.  The wine was kept back for ageing in French and American oak barrels for two years before being bottled unfiltered in February of 2008.  It will generously repay long-term cellaring.

 

  93 points   "Ripe and full-bodied, with loads of dark cherry, dark plum and kirsch flavors that are coated by a rich concentration of dark chocolate and spice. The creamy finish features plenty of mocha notes. Drink now through 2013. 535 cases made." –KM

SKU 634717

Vintage Port 1999 Unfiltered (Alberta)

Quinta do Crasto created another great one with their 1999 Vintage Port. Produced from grapes grown in 100% Grade "A" old vineyards, with an average age of over 70 years. The field plant of over thirty different varieties were hand picked and then 100% foot trodden using natural yeasts in the estate's traditional stone "lagares." The wine was bottled without any filtration or fining after two years in wood.

 

This is a Port with well integrated character that is intensely aromatic with matured, rich red berry fruit flavours so characteristic of Crasto Ports, with a perfect balance between the soft tannins, sweetness and acidity reflecting the traditional vinification system, great depth and a very long finish. The long, rich, spicy and berry aromas and flavours will tease your senses. Very enjoyable now and for another two years, then let it repay cellaring and revisit it in 2010.

 

GOLD MEDAL - International Wine Challenge 2002 (London)

 

92 Points - Wine & Spirits Magazine

 

 90/100 Points  "Crasto vintage port is produced from grapes grown in 100% Grade “A” old vineyards, with an average age of plus 70 years. The field plant of over thirty different varieties were hand picked and then 100% foot trodden using natural yeasts in the estate’s traditional stone “lagares.” The wine was bottled without any filtration or fining after two years in wood. Look for a peppery earth and licorice nose that reflects more terroir than fruit. It is super rich on the palate with a spicy plum and raspberry flavours in the aftertaste. Quite elegant and peppery with a tea leaf and dried plum skin finish. A solid effort here for mid term drinking that should be perfect for restaurants."

SKU 633065

Vintage Port 2004 Unfiltered (Alberta)

    93 Points  "Gorgeous aromas of pepper, spices, chocolate and crushed fruit. Full-bodied, medium sweet and very, very chewy, with a solid core of fruit. Has ripe tannins and lots of grip. One of the best ever from this producer. Best after 2015. 800 cases made." –JS

 

 

 

SKU 415000