Quinta Da Côrte – Grande Reserva 2013
This was a year of contrasts. After a mild, wet spring, summer brought a drought of historic proportions. Fortunately some rainfall in September helped to redress the balance.
Several plots of old vines were specially selected for this great Douro red. They all have predominantly North or North-East exposures, which allow the grapes to ripen harmoniously while retaining a fine freshness.
Created from 40% Touriga Franca, 20% Touriga Nacional and 40% Tinta Roriz, three quarters of this vintage was aged for 12 months in casks of which 30% were new wood. The remaining quarter was vinified in stainless steel vats.
Colour: Garnet red with inky reflections.
Nose: Full and very expressive, opening with aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry jelly, raspberry, pepper and liquorice then developing elegant floral aromas and ending with subtly toasted notes.
Palate: Smooth, full-bodied and very flavourful, carried on a framework of soft, creamy tannins with a mellow acidity giving balance to an ensemble which is elegantly constructed from the attack right through to a finish which is long, crisp and delicate and brilliantly displays all the minerality of the schists.
Will keep in the cellar for more than 10 years.
Quinta Da Côrte – Grande Reserva 2014
The 2014 vintage showed superb concentration and minerality and a fruit of great purity. The work put into the soil and the vines, combined with good water reserves boosted by regular winter and spring rains, allowed the vines to cope with the August heat. The result was a particularly harmonious ripening of the grapes.
Unlike the 2013 vintage, the 2014 is composed entirely of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca in equal parts. The whole vintage was aged in barrels of which 30% were new wood.
Colour: Garnet red with inky reflections.
Nose: Fresh and opulent, showing great complexity. Starting with red and black fruits it then releases elegant floral notes of iris and pepper.
Palate: Dense and powerfully structured, with a broad, robust attack which develops in a lively manner over a background of tannins which are quite perceptible but velvety. It then moves on to a brilliant finish of exceptional length. Tannins which reveal their presence with no hint of harshness are an indication of great keeping qualities.
Will keep in the cellar for 15 years.
Princesa 2014
After a fairly wet spring, growth was rapid. There was regular rainfall during the summer, which called for extra vigilance because of a serious threat from cryptogamic diseases. Following a heat wave in September, the year produced an interesting vintage with fine, flavourful wines displaying great minerality.
Blend: 15% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinto Cao, 75% Touriga Franca
Aging: 12 months in 225 and 500 litre one-wine casks, to prevent the fruit drawing too much flavour from the wood.
Tasting: Purple in colour with inky reflections. A powerful and expressive nose immediately reveals aromas of red fruits such as damson, elderberry and blackcurrant, followed by raspberry, spices, pepper and ending with a superb minerality.
Palate: A dense mouth feel with a vigorous attack which develops powerfully, with remarkably smooth, fresh tannins. It displays the same red and black fruits which are present in the nose, and you can discern the taste of cocoa, coffee and fine mentholated flavours. There is a lengthy, tannin-rich finish which displays great elegance.
It will keep for 15 years in the cellar.