A brief jaunt across the pond into Portugal today. Dating back to 1759, Quinta das Carvalhas is located on the left bank of the Douro River facing Pinhão. It covers the whole of the hillside facing the Douro river extends over the summit – which is crowned by the dominated Casa Redonda, a guest house visible from miles around – and occupies part of the upper slopes of the right bank of the Rio Torto. The property spans more than 600 hectares and some of the vines currently planted are more than 100 years old. Roughly ten different varietals are planted there with the most acreage devoted to Touriga Nacional.
The wines come from the 2013, 2014 and 2015 vintages. Great wines were made in 2013 for those who picked before the October rains. 2014 was a rainy vintage where the Duoro generally saw beautiful, albeit slightly less concentrated wines. 2015 was a warm vintage with gorgeous growing conditions and rich wines. I was particularly impressed with the 2013 Quinta Das Carvalhas ‘Carvalhas Old Vines’ Red Blend (WWB, 94) which was a stunning field blend that showed incredible intensity and a silky mouthfeel. This stunning wine will cellar well for decades. An outstanding value, the 2015 Quinta Das Carvalhas ‘Reserva’ Duoro (WWB, 91) offers a ton of dark fruits and wonderful poise for under $20.00. Learn more about these great wines at http://realcompanhiavelha.pt/pages/quintas/4 Here are the great new releases by Quinta Das Carvalhas.
2015 Quinta das Carvalhas ‘Reserva’ Douro- The ‘Reserva’ by Quinta do Carvalhas is a rich blend of 60% Touriga Nacional, 20% Touriga Franca and 20% Tinta Roriz. Needing more than an hour decant to be fully expressive, the wine begins with intense aromas of blueberry, espresso bean and a touch of dark chocolate shavings. The palate is rich and inviting as blackberry cobbler, blueberry compote and milk chocolate flavors connect well with a lively acidity. Lithe and light on its feet, while showing nice intensity, this is an outstanding bottling that will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 91
2014 Quinta das Cavalhas Touriga Nacional- This great Touriga Nacional wine begins with bright aromas of smoke, blackberry pie and black currant jelly. The mouthfeel is lush and the wine has a wonderful freshness and tension. Dark fruits connect with milk chocolate and coffee ground flavors. Lithe and delicious, enjoy this great wine over the next decade. Drink 2017-2027- 91
2013 Quinta das Carvalhas Douro- This wine is a compelling blend of 60% Touriga Nacional, 20% Touriga Franca and 20% Tinta Roriz that was aged for 12 months in oak prior to bottling. Showing a deep hue, the wine opens with aromatics reminiscent of orange rind, black cherry syrup and suggestions of baking spices. Rich, with a lovely mouthfeel, the wine is highly structured and dense. Black fruits connect with a touch of citrus and chocolate towrards the back end. This has wonderrful intensity and poise. Give this wonderful Douro at least an hour decant if enjoying young. Drink 2017-2027- 90
2013 Quinta Das Carvalhas Tinta Francisca- Dense and loaded with dark fruits on the nose, the 2013 Quinta Das Carvalhas Tinta Francisca is an outstanding new wine. The weight and tension to this wine on the mid-palate is rather intoxicating. Flavors of black tea, mocha and black cherry compote with a touch of black olive tapenade impresses. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2013 Quinta Das Carvalhas 'Carvalhas Old Vines' Red Blend- The 'Carvalhas' is a field blend that is silky, ripe and ridiculously good. The wine needs roughly an hour to be fully expressive. After time to be fully unveiled this leads to black cherry compote, mocha and creme de cassis flavors that sit alongside some strong minerality. This shows an intense mouthfeel and acidity. The beautifully plush texture really makes this gorgeous wine. Drink 2018-2033- 94