2005 Quinta do Crasto Douro Reserva Old Vine

Vintage: 2005

Producer/Winery: Quinta do Crasto

Wine: Douro Old Vines Reserva

Country: Portugal

Region: Porto

Appellation: Douro

Varietal Composition: Blend of 25-30 different local varieties

Aging: 18 months, 85% French oak, 15 % American oak

Climate: Continental

Alcohol: 14%

Winemaker: Dominic Morris and Manuel Lobo

Production:  6900 Cases

Bottle Value: $70 USD

Where: Walla Walla    When: January 1, 2010         With whom: Greg, Peter, Tom, Dustin and Megan

Perspective:  A great wine considering that it’s a blend of 25 to 30 different varieties with an average vine age of 70 years old.  For me it felt like a Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo) and Touriga Nacional blend.  Very clean and well structured.  Definitely needs decanting to even out the initial tannins.  After it breathes for a bit it’s quite lush and robust with earthy baked black fruits.  Apparently it was #3 on Speculators top 100 last year and received 95 pts.  Definitely a great wine but not sure that an old vine field blend is worth seventy bones.

Systematic Approach

Appearance: Clear clarity. Deep ruby core and rim.  Thick sediment and deposits.

Nose: Clean. Medium (+) youthful aromas of blackberry, plum, tobacco, and woody spices.

Palate: Dry. Medium acidity. Medium (+) fine-grained tannins.  Medium (+) alcohol.  Medium (+) body.  Medium (+) intense flavors of dark chocolate, black cherry, vanilla, stony mineral and plum.  Balance – Dry.  Refreshing acidity, well-integrated tannins, generous alcohol and well-defined fruit. Texture – fine-grained tannins and fleshy viscosity.  Overall Impression – overripe, expressive freshness and well structured. Medium (+) length.

Conclusion: Good quality for texture, concentration and balance. Drink now or hold for the next 5-8 years.

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