Quinta do Crasto Colheita Port, Portugal, 1997

Overview of the Wine

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.

Located in the heart of the Cima Corgo, Quinta do Crasto is officially classified as an ‘A’ grade vineyard property. The estate covers 335 acres of predominantly southern-facing slopes, extending from the banks of the Douro river up to an altitude of nearly 600 meters. One hundred and eighty-five acres of vineyards are planted primarily on terraces carved from schist, the characteristic slate-like bedrock of the Douro that allows vine roots to penetrate deep into the ground in search of water. With growing global interest in Douro wines and indigenous Portuguese varieties, the Roquette family has continued to invest further in the Douro with a new vineyard of 371 acres located in the Upper Douro (also known as the ‘Douro Superior’).

WINEMAKING The grapes from old vines were taken to the winery in plastic boxes. On arrival in the winery they were rigorously inspected on a sorting table. The grapes with their stems were then slightly crushed and transferred to a traditional stone tank (´lagar´) where they were foot trodden. After this, the grape spirit was added to stop the fermentation and fortify the wine.

AGEING In Portuguese oak barrels of 550 litres for about 18 years. Bottled without fining or filtration; a light sediment may form in the bottle over time.

Grapes
Old Vines (several grape varieties)

Origin

Oporto, Portugal

Tasting Notes

Bright amber color. Great aromatic complexity, which features elegant notes of honey and dried fruits, in perfect harmony with fresh aromas of spice and orange peel. Elegant, evolving into a full-bodied wine complex texture composed of fine tannins in perfect balance with fresh aromatic sensations. A very engaging wine that ends elegant and very persistent.

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 

90 points - Wine Spectator
Outer quote mark Racy, young vintage Port. Intense aromas of raspberries and wet earth. Full-bodied and medium-sweet, with chewy tannins and a ripe, raisiny aftertaste. (JS) 

Product size: 750ml