Quinta da Romaneira Douro Tinto
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Estate red is Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca dominant.
- It comes in a relatively low 13.5% alcohol.
- It’s rather understated with an elegant, very French feel.
Varietal Composition: Touriga Nacional (40%), Touriga Franca (40%), Tinta Roriz (10%) and Tinto Cão (10%)
Elaboration: The wine was vinified in specially-designed, conical-stainless-steel, temperature-controlled vats, within a temperature range of 25/28 degrees Celsius. Aged 14 months in french oak barrels of 225 liters (20% new, the rest evenly divided between second and third use).
Tasting Notes: Fresh and balanced, its intense bright fruit, wild spicy character and strong but fine and elegant tannins, are typical expressions of the great vineyard of Romaneira. Floral and spicy with notes of black pepper and rose petals. Well balanced, smooth and fresh with a harmonious finish.
PRESS
2011 – 91 Wine Spectator | 92 Wine Enthusiast
2015 – 91 Wine Spectator | 93 Wine Enthusiast
2017 – 91 Wine Spectator | 93 Wine Enthusiast
2018 – 91 Wine Spectator | 93 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.