‘It’s a Wine Revolution. Really, that’s the only word for it,’ says Matt Kramer of Wine Spectator. Along with South Africa, Portugal is one of the most exciting wine-producing countries today.
Up until 1986, by law all port wines had to be aged in lodges in Porto Vila Nova. But following Portugal’s entry into the EU, many rules were relaxed and what had been an industry of fortified wines suddenly broke open. Quintas started their own brands and the focus shifted to unfortified wines. The ‘Douro Boys’ individually led this movement and today all market themselves as a united front, much like SA’s Swartland Revolutionaries.
The largest mountainous wine region in the world, the Douro is extremely rugged, strewn with very old vines on incredible schist rock. Armed with centuries of cultivation history and new thinking, the Douro Boys have forever changed the landscape and their wines are now considered to be among the top wines in Portugal.
Niepoort is the most traditional in style. The grapes are picked at low alcohols, offering more tension and savoury tannins. Focused on field blends from different terroirs, each wine comprises up to 50 varieties planted in 1 vineyard!
Quinta Vale D. Maria is the smallest and perhaps most sought-after, combining rich Douro fruit with refinement and power.
Founded in 1615, Quinta do Crasto is one of the great Douro family estates. Their Reserve Red is incredible value while their Roquette and Cazes is a partnership with Lynch Bages and reflects more of a Bordeaux approach to winemaking.
See a list of all our new Portuguese wines here and don’t be scared to try something new! Taste a selection of these in Cape Town and Johannesburg on 2 September.
All of these wines are also available individually. Order one of our Portuguese packs or create your own selection.
Place your order online or email [email protected]
Free delivery on orders over R1,500 (main centres only). If you need any assistance, call us on 021 448 4105 (CT) or 011 027 9463 (JHB).
Tasting Notes
Quinta D. Vale Maria Douro Tinto 2012 (R605)
The 2012 Tinto Quinta Vale d. Maria, the estate flagship, is an old vines field blend, aged for 21 months in a mixture of new (65%) and used French oak barriques. What’s not to like here? In this rather elegant vintage, it has that elegance typical of the brand, but it also shows reasonable concentration for the vintage and fine grip on the finish. It is actually quite intense. That finish lingers with flavourful, lovely fruit. It handles its oak well and rises above it with aeration. The texture has a certain silky note to it, as it is rather crisp and fresh. – Wine Advocate, 92/100
Vertente is made from grapes from the 25-year-old vineyards of Quinta de Nápoles and old vines planted on the slopes of the river Pinhão, where Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz are predominant. The old vines contribute to the elegance of this wine, while the 25-year-old vines give it youth. It is a wine that finds a unique balance between concentration, fruit, complexity and elegance, creating an excellent 2012 red. Made to be consumed young, it has great ageing potential.
The fruit comes from Quinta do Carril, a north-facing vineyard with more than 70 years, near Quinta de Nápoles and also from two other vineyards that are over 100 years old, planted at an altitude of 750 metres. Batuta is a perfect blend: powerful, elegant, with a superb harmony and great ageing potential.
The 2010 Redoma is the latest iteration of Niepoort’s familiar brand. It is an old-vine blend aged 30% in 2,000-liter old oak and the rest in 228-liter French oak. Niepoort says that 20-50% of the stems were used in order to obtain a fresher character. My favorite of the 2010 reds here, this is bright, delicious and gripping. While bigger than Batuta (not so unusual), in this vintage Redoma is a bit understated. That being said, it proves its persistence easily, showing quite charmingly and with a sunny demeanor the next day as well. This gracefully constructed wine has tension and grip on the finish, a little bit of tannic pop and the fruit to blend with the structure. The oak was obvious on opening but that will integrate with time and it showed better in that regard the following day. Of Niepoort’s 2010s, it likely that it has the highest upside. Drink now-2024. – Wine Advocate, 91/100
Quinta do Crasto Reserva 2012 (R335)
As the name suggests, this wine is made from old vines with an average age of 70 years, including as many as 30 different grape varieties. Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines shows a complex aroma, with the fruit and the oak very well integrated and revealing spicy nuances. Intense and deep on the palate. The firm tannic structure gives great balance to the wine. Powerful, rich and refined, with a lithe mouthfeel and flavors of boysenberry, sandalwood, macerated cherry and damson plum. Very minerally as well, with loads of spicy notes on the well-structured, lingering finish. Very elegant. Drink now through 2022. 7,750 cases made. – Wine Spectator, 94/100
Quinta do Crasto Roquette & Cazes 2012 (R295)
A modern approach, made in partnership with the Cazes family of Château Lynch Bages in Pauillac. The complex nose reveals fresh berry fruits notes and elegant hints of violet and spice. An elegant start that leads to a well-structured red wine, with fine-textured tannins. On the palate this vintage has flavours of berry fruit nicely combined with delicate notes of violet. The finish is fresh and lingering. A blend of 60% Touriga Nacional, 15% Touriga Franca and 25% Tinta Roriz.
Niepoort Ubuntu Red 2013 (R145)
A special Douro Red edition to celebrate the World Cup in South Africa by artist Leonora van Staden from Stellenbosh! Ubuntu is an ethic or humanist philosophy focusing on people’s loyalties and relationships. Vibrant in the nose, scented with a fresh and very expressive aroma in the wild fruit notes. Spices and tea leaves harmoniously linked with a balsamic profile, originate a complex and captivating aroma. In the mouth, more elegant than the previous edition, has a markedly mineral profile. With a good mouth volume, young, with good acidity and soft tannins, is a feel like tasting wine, without being heavy thanks to its balance. Long finish, with a very refreshing mineral flavour.
Quinta D. Vale Maria Rufo Red 2012 (R150)
The Rufo do Vale D. Maria red is approximately a 60-40 blend of Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, sourced from vines averaging 7-35 years in age. It was aged for 12 months in well used oak, and then in tank. The total production run is scheduled to be approximately 75,000 bottles. Showing decent mid-palate solidity for the entry level brand, it is nicely constructed and fresh, an easy wine that maintains some ‘real wine’ feel. It should make a good house pour and drink nicely in the short term.
Quinta do Crasto Crasto White 2013 (R145)
Made from the best white grapes, this is a fresh and aromatic wine with a modern style. Citrus and asparagus aromas with elegant floral notes are perfectly integrated. Good balance, crisp freshness and a pleasant length. Well-rounded, with ripe tropical fruit flavors and lemon-lime notes that combine for a supple texture. Cream and spice details fill the fresh, crunchy finish. Drink now. 5,666 cases made. – Wine Spectator, 88/100
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