Duas Quintas Tinto Reserva 2019

Duas Quintas Tinto Reserva, Ramos Pinto, Douro, Portugal, 2019

Grapes: 65% Touriga Nacional & 35% Touriga Francesa

Ramos Pinto were the original pioneers of quality winemaking in the Douro, a legacy that lives on today and has been adopted throughout the region. Duas Quintas gets its name from the two estates the fruit is grown for the wines – Quinta de Ervamoira and Quinta dos Bons Ares. The wines really showcase the best that the Douro has to offer, full-bodied, full of fresh fruit (mixed berries, plums) with excellent tannins that provide structure and a long finish.

Harvesting and sorting is by hand, into small boxes. Vinification of the Ervamoira grapes was done in granite lagares, whilst the Bons Ares grapes were vinified in wooden and in concrete vats.  For 18 months, it was aged in large oak vats, new and one-year-old French oak barrels.

Producer Tasting Note:

Clear, brilliant colour with a dense, concentrated appearance. A rich, mature, subtle and smoked nose with aromas reminiscent of red plums, figs, peaches and blackberries. The tannin structure is both powerful and smooth, promising excellent ageing potential.  This really is the Douro Superior in all its splendour.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"A big Reserva, this has fine depth and concentration, big fruit flavors and pungent aromatics. There is a serious backbone too. It is, though, the highest I've seen in alcohol... So far, this seems to handle its size and alcohol very well, even if it is a bit of an outlier... In fact, it seems rather delicious and still focused. It's tightly wound but not harsh. Right now, I have to lean up on this but not quite all the way. I'm sure some will find it sensational, but I would like to see some evidence it can hold its balance. The tannins are not hard, so you can try this now. It will still be better in a couple of years, if all goes well." Drink 2023-2041

93+/100 points, Mark Squires, WINE ADVOCATE, July 2022

"Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge lightening. Fine nuances of ripe plums, a hint of blackberries, candied orange zest. Mineral, freshly structured, red berries, elegant, delicate nougat, a balanced and light-footed accompaniment to food."

92/100 points, FALSTAFF (Austria), November 2022

Food Pairing:

Grilled red meat, such as the well-aged chuletón [thick cut bone-in] rib steak or posta mirandesa. It is excellent with other strong dishes such as oven-baked cod, pork cheeks braised in red wine, stuffed turkey or moussaka.