Monthly Archives: November 2012

Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage 2000

Setembro 2012 - Douro 090

Since 1896 in the hands of D. Antónia Adelaide Ferreira descendents belongs from 1994 till now to F. Olazabal & Filhos Lda. Francisco (Vito) and his sons, Francisco (Xito) and Luísa manage all the work related to the wine estate and they’ve being doing a good job as we can see and hear when people talk about Quinta do Vale Meão.

Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage 2000 is a wine with 12 years old, then very young,. With closed aromas and dark black ink color. Fruity aroma with plenty strawberries, caramelized fruit and mint. A luscious wine, soft but with enough acidity.

D

www.quintadovalemeao.pt

 

 

Burmester Colheita 1937

 

The relationship between Burmester and Port wine, has been known since 1750 when Burmester & Nash began their trade business. Since then, there have been many changes in the constitution and dissolution of companies related to the sector and with the name Burmester under seal. However, and after more than 250 years, and being a Sogevinus Group’s property, Burmester is one of the references, particularly regarding “Colheita” style, whose wine from a single year and aged in small oak casks of 550 lt is bottled at least at the end of seven years.

In the case of this particular Colheita from 1937, we are talking about a wine of excellence. It presents a very clear and amber color which aroma is very intense and complex, full of nuts, caramel, orange and some figs. In the mouth we find an endless explosion of flavors. Walnuts, almonds, figs, all very balanced. Divine.

A

www.burmester.pt

Crasto Vintage 1985

Since 1615 that Quinta do Crasto is known by its existence being awarded as feitoria in 1761. We can see some granitic markers throughout the estate which symbolize the original demarcation since 1758. In the beginning of the XX century, Constantino de Almeida, great grandfather of the actual owners, bought the estate and founded a Port wine house known for their labels as “Constantino’s”. Nevertheless, in 1994 they began to produce still wines and they’ve been doing their best belonging also to Douro Boys partnership.

Concerning this Vintage Port from 1985, we can see that it has a developed ruby color with brownish hints. Pine needles, sour cherry, spices and ripe red fruit aromas. In the mouth we can feel that’s perfect to drink with elegance and persistence. Altough it isn’t my kind of vintage.

D

http://www.quintadocrasto.pt

Poças Colheita 1994

Manoel D. Poças Junior, Lda. was set as a society in 1942 by Manoel Poças, his wife and their two daugthters after he got some experience working in different wine companies. Since then we’ve been seeing that Poças label has reached so many markets and huge quality wines, mainly through their Colheitas.

This 1994 has a deep caramel color with brick color hints. Intense aroma of nuts and caramel. Beautiful structure, softness and persistence. Very interesting.

C

http://www.pocas.pt

Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo Vintage 2009

Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is an ancient wine estate at Douro Valley based in Cima Corgo region which was till recent years property of Burmester but was bought by Grupo Amorim (world leader in cork supplies) and now has also a beautiful wine hotel.

This recent vintage from 2009 has the usual deep ruby color of the vintage Ports and an intense aroma of red and black fruits. In the palate we’re able to feel a great texture, with chocolate, spices and strawberries. Endless finish.

B

http://www.quintanova.com

El Tresillo 1874

Bodegas Emílio Hidalgo is based in Calle Clavet, 29 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. They began to produce soleras on the second half on 19th century and since then they’ve been achieving market after market through the quality of their wines.

This El Tresillo 1874 from Bodegas Emílio Hidalgo is a dry amontillado wine made with Palomino grape variety. This solera of 1874 is the result of a systems combination of wines and the result has aged for a long period in American oak barrels. It has a clean and caramel color and an intense aroma of dried fruits, viosinho and lacquer. We can also find a fresh palate with tea and herbal flavor. Great finish.

B

http://www.emiliohidalgo.es

Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage 1976

Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Ports were first released in the 1930’s as well as the classic Fonseca’s but with softer palate and nose. Nowadays the process has changed and already every people notice they’re made when the climate not allow the grapes to riped as much as David Guimaraens want.

This beautiful Vintage Port from 1976 made by Bruce Guimaraens still has a light ruby color and plenty aromas like dried fruits, dried orange, pine seeds and also some spices. Great persistence that we can find here.

B

http://www.fonseca.pt

Fortified wines…what’s that???

Fortified wine is a kind wine to which was added a distilled beverage such as brandy or eau de vie. As examples of it we’ve Port, Madeira, Sherry (Jerez) and Marsala. People began to fortify wines to preserve them during trade voyages during 16th and 17th centuries, and based on that they used to add some brandy to stabilize it. Usually brandy is used in most of the countries that do fortified wines although depending on regional appellation laws they also can use neutral spirits based on grains, grapes and sugarcane. Nowadays, fortified wines contain between 17 and 21 per cent alcohol and if brandy is added after the fermentation process, the result is a dry wine. If added before fermentation, the result is a sweet wine.