THE DISCOVER CLUB - December 2020
Port has a long tradition of being served at Christmastime, so I wanted to splurge with a special bottling for the Discover Club. Quinta do Tedo is an historic Quinta, “single estate,” growing all organic grapes in some of the best vineyard sites along the Douro. Their Late Bottled Vintage 2011 has all the quality of a single vintage Oporto, but it delivers at an incredible price.
Quinta do Tedo
Late Bottled Vintage 2011
Region: Portugal, Douro River Valley
Grape Varietal: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Pomar, Tinta da Barca, Mourisco, Tinta Amarela, Rufete and Malvazia Preta
Viticulture: 40+ year-old vines; schist; 100% organically grown grapes
Method: Fermentation and foot-treading in traditional lagars; 12 hours of foot-treading over 4 day at a controlled temperature; 4 years in 500 liter/132 gallon neutral French oak puncheons
Serving Suggestions: decant; serve at 59 F
Age: drink 2022-2025
Nose: jammy blackberry, raspberry cordial, mint
ABOUT QUITA DO TEDO
In 1992, Burgundy heir Vincent Bouchard purchased the Quinta alongside his winemaking wife Kay Steffey. This 37 acre estate boasted vineyards all rated as “Class A,” the highest rating for Portuguese vineyards according to a strict set of conditions. Only 2% of the Douro Valley’s vineyards achieve this classification. Since 2011, they have converted every acre to organic farming following their philosophy of “Respecting the land with traditional viticultural methods, while incorporating essential modern technology, to create Portos and Red Wines that showcase the Douro Valley terroir.”
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS WINE
Vintage Port must be treated properly to truly enjoy the wine. They are built to last and can age gracefully for decades. However, many people lack the patience that the “Old World” of wine used to require. So, new more approachable styles of previously needy wines have come to market, including the unique Late Bottled Vintage port! These wines age for an extended time at the Quinta (Late bottled) from a single harvest (vintage) and are ready to be consumed immediately. You get the powerful punch of vintage-style port with a better balance of fruit, acidity, and tannin than a simple Ruby. Share this bottle with a friend, some cigars, and maybe a nibble of chocolate or two.