Quinta Do Vallado Reserva Field Blend 2019
(Portugal) 750mL - [WA 94] [JS 94] [WE 94] [WS 91]

About the Winery:
Over the course of 300+ years, since 1716, Quinta do Vallado has been producing excellent wines in Portugal’s Douro Valley. It is one of the oldest and most famous wineries in all the Douro, started by the legendary Doña Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, and still belongs to the same family today. It is a sixth-generation winery, currently owned by João Ferreira Alvares Ribeiro and Francisco Ferreira. The estate produced Port wines exclusively, until the 1990’s when it expanded production into dry wines.

Vallado has 250 acres of its own vineyards in two sub-regions of the Douro. They are comprised 100-year-old field blend vines, single variety plots and certified organic vineyards. The terraced vineyards are hand-harvested with one row of vines trained to a double cordon trellising system, allowing for good drainage, air flow and erosion control.

Notes From the Winemaker:

Part of the grapes underwent the traditional process of foot treading in granite "lagares". The remaining grapes were vinified in 5-ton stainless steel vats, with controlled temperatures and mechanical remontage for 9 days. After the malolactic fermentation all the wines were racked into French oak barriques where they stayed for 18 months.

Tasting Notes:

Very concentrated aromas, with balsamic notes of oak, fig, black plum and tobacco. The palate is full-bodied and firm, with mature and silky tannins. There are mineral notes, and an elegant, persistent and complex finish.

Wine Composition More than 15 varieties from vines between 60 - 100 years old, with a prominence of Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca

Alcohol 14.5%

Total Acidity 5.2 g/dm3

Residual Sugar 0.6 g/dm3

pH 3.74

Ratings & Reviews:

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2019 Reserva is a field blend (some 35 grapes from vines ranging from 60 to 100 years old) that is principally Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca, all aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. It comes in at 14.49% alcohol. This, like so many of Vallado's reds this issue, is a wine that emphasizes structure, finesse, precision and elegance. In other words, it is a very serious wine in a classic style. It also delivers fine fruit, although it is subtly concentrated, never jammy, candied or obvious. This has loads of potential. It should be drinking better around the middle of the decade. It looks like a wine that can easily go 20 years, maybe more." - Mark Squires (Mar 2022)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"A red that shows real old vine character with blackberries, bark, wet earth and fresh mushroom. It’s full- to medium-bodied with juicy fruit and a flavorful finish. This is a blend of old vines, between 60- and 100-years-old, that are co-planted together including tinta roriz, tinta amarela, touriga franca, and tinta barroca. In a couple of years it will be even better, but fantastic already." (Apr 2023)

94 Points: Wine Enthusiast:
"From old vines, planted as a field blend, this wine is impressively structured and textured. It is rich, with a tight mineral structure lying behind the black fruits. Ripe fruits and dark tannins need to meld together. Drink from 2026." - RV

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A fresh, fragrant red, featuring zesty ground pepper and minerally stone and iron, this offers flavors of cherry reduction, violet, rose hip and Earl Grey tea. Bright and buoyant on the palate, with fine tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2027. 3,700 cases made, 125 cases imported." - AN (Nov 2022)