Quinta do Crasto Flor de Crasto Douro Red Blend 2021 (Portugal)

Description

Oak, Plum, Spice

"Medium bodied and dry, with ripe plum, spice, cassis, Cuban cigar, kalamata olive and toasty oak" Phil Parker, Aug 2024

"Quinta do Crasto not only has some of the most breathtaking views in the beautiful Douro Valley, but it has mastered the art of making red Douro table wine a thing of beauty, while many of its neighbours continue to overcomplicate and over-oak the stuff" Oz Clarke, Wine Critic

Intense ruby in color with violet reflections. The nose reveals aromas of red fruits, such as raspberry and plum, as well as floral notes. A fresh, balanced and easy to drink Red Wine . In the mouth it presents good structure and volume, refined tannins and a pleasant finish.

Located on the right bank of the river, midway between Régua and Pinhão, in the heart of the Douro Valley, Quinta do Crasto has been in the family of Leonor and Jorge Roquette for over a century. The estate covers 130 hectares, 70 planted with vineyards, mainly on the south facing slopes - extending from the banks of the river up to an altitude of nearly 600 meters. Together with their winemakers and the entire team, they seek to produce wines that express the unique and beautiful characteristics of the Douro; all of this through an unrelenting devotion to tradition, integrity and a commitment to excellence.

2021 will be remembered for its freshness and elegance. In a year when particularly unstable weather conditions presented challenges both in the vineyard and in the winery, it took a large dose of meticulous planning, periodic monitoring, and adaptability to achieve the level of excellence that was finally accomplished Following a cold winter with abundant rainfall, the vines began the growth cycle with healthy water reserves. Mild temperatures from budburst to veraison meant that the vines underwent very little stress, hastening the growth cycle by approximately 15 days relative to the five-year average. The harvest began in the last week of August with hot, dry days and cold nights. The first rains came on the 1st and 2nd of September, as the average temperature fell, and harvesting was completed smoothly amidst pleasant temperatures. This memorable year has produced elegant, full-bodied wines with excellent freshness, refined fruit aromas and silky tannins, wines with excellent bottle-ageing potential.