Quinta da Romaneira Douro Reserva
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Their “flagship” dry red.
- The grapes for the Reserva originate from their very best vineyard sites.
Varietal Composition: 80% Touriga Nacional, 20% Touriga Franca
Elaboration: The wine was vinified in specially-designed, conical-stainless-steel, temperature-controlled vats, within a temperature range of 77°F to 83°F degrees. The wine is then aged for 14 months in 225 liter French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: Deep purple with crimson edges. Finely aromatic, with flavors of plum, blackberry, and licorice. Herbs and smoke impart depth through the structured finish. Silky and fresh with good density and length.
PRESS
2014 – 94 Jeb Dunnuck | 95 Wine Enthusiast
2015 – 93 Jeb Dunnuck
2016 – 93 Wine Spectator | 95 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Cellar Selections #38
2017 – 92 Wine Spectator | 95 Wine Enthusiast
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
The 1,100 acre spread of Quinta da Romaneira is widely considered one of the Douro Valley’s most breathtaking estates. The winery began producing port in 1872, but was not legally allowed to bottle under its own name until 1986 when DO changes gave single quintas the authority to do so.
Christian Seely purchased Romaneira in 2004 with plans to put the winery shoulder to shoulder with the Douro’s top names in terms of reputation and quality. Seely and winemaker Antonio Agrellos understand what such ambition means – They are the dynamic duo behind the much celebrated rebirth of another great property, Quinta do Noval (which sits literally next door), which they’ve operated for the past twenty years.
The entire Romaneira vineyard estate is classified “A” (the highest mark that can be obtained in the Douro) and the house focuses almost completely on unfortified dry wines and vintage style port.