Quinta Do Crasto Tinto 2023

Quinta do Crasto is one of the Douro Valley's reference estates, and this is its accessible regional red. The blend draws on the classic Douro quartet of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, from selected plots planted on patamares, the terraces cut into the valley's steep schist slopes. Schist is a hard, layered rock that forces vines to root deep for water, which concentrates the fruit and lends the wine its dark colour and savoury backbone. The Douro is hot and dry in summer, but altitude and the river moderate the nights, so the grapes ripen fully while keeping acidity. After a thorough sorting, the fruit is destemmed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel for around a week, a method that captures fresh primary fruit and keeps the tannins firm but clean. The wine is deep ruby. The nose offers blackberry, plum and dark cherry with a lift of black pepper and dried herbs. The palate is full bodied and structured, with ripe fruit, firm tannins and a warm, spicy finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, with a short decant. It is built for red meat, from grilled steak to slow-roast lamb.