Quinta do Crasto DOC 2022 Douro Tinto 75cl
Description
Designation of Origin: Douro
Vintage Year:
2022 was characterized as an extremely dry year. Reduced rainfall throughout most of the growing season, along with high temperatures recorded during the spring and summer months, had a significant impact on both the quantity and ripening of the grapes. The winter period, or dormancy of the vines, between November and February, recorded very low rainfall, and from June onwards the region entered a severe drought, reaching 46.5°C in Pinhão, the highest value ever recorded in Portugal. It should be noted that the minimum temperatures at night during these periods were also high, preventing the vines from recovering during the night. Due to the high temperatures, there was an anticipation of flowering and veraison. Despite good bunch formation, the impact of the climatic conditions was significant, with the bunches and berries being smaller than usual, also demonstrating the extreme resilience of the vines, which defended themselves against the drought that set in at the very beginning of their cycle. Ripening checks were brought forward to the beginning of August, with harvesting starting on August 18th.
Grape varieties: white. This was the second earliest harvest, following that of 2017. Maturation analyses showed some abnormality in the development of the berry compounds, with low sugar and acidity levels compared to average values, a situation explained by the climatic conditions observed. Despite the unusual climatic conditions throughout the year, the old vines of Quinta do Crasto ended up being a positive surprise, with the vines adapting well and producing excellent quality. This good performance is explained by the age of the vines, with a good root system capable of reaching deeper soils with some level of moisture, size, and training system that protects them from water stress and low production. The exposure and essentially the altitude of the different plots were preponderant factors in terms of production, with the lower altitudes showing much lower yield levels when compared to plots and vines at higher altitudes. The rainfall that occurred in the second week of September was of tremendous importance in terms of the quality of the musts. Despite forcing a halt to the harvest, the vines experienced a "release" and reacted quickly to the increased water availability, leading to higher yields and alcohol content in the must, without compromising the sanitary aspects of the production. The year 2022 was definitely challenging, with the wines exhibiting moderate alcohol levels, balanced acidity, stable colors, and good structure, but above all, fantastic elegance!
Winemaking:
The grapes, harvested and transported in 22 kg boxes, undergo rigorous sorting upon arrival at the winery, before being destemmed, crushed, and transferred to stainless steel fermentation tanks where they ferment at a controlled temperature for a period of 7 days.
Aging:
85% in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks; 15% in French oak barrels for 6 months.
Exam Grade:
With an intense ruby hue, it reveals a striking aromatic expression on the nose, where expressive aromas of red fruits stand out in harmony with subtle floral touches. On the palate, it begins seductively, evolving into a wine of remarkable breadth, supported by a solid and harmonious structure. The finely integrated tannins exhibit a velvety texture that gives the wine an enveloping elegance. The finish is fresh, precise, and persistent.
Technical Information:
Vine Age: Over 20 years | Serving Temperature: 16-18º | Exposure and Altitude: East - South - West - North (120-450 meters) | System: Vineyard on slopes; Vineyards on 1 and 2 trellis levels | Alcohol: 13% | Bottling: January 2025 | Total Acidity: 5.4 g/L | pH: 3.78 | Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L
