Quinta do Crasto Superior 2024 Douro Branco 75cl

Designation of Origin: Douro

Vintage Year:
The 2024 viticultural year in the Douro was marked by favorable climatic conditions, with moderate temperatures and rainfall close to the historical average. At Quinta do Crasto, the accumulated rainfall was 581.8 mm, slightly below the average of the last 30 years (627.8 mm), and the average temperature was 0.54°C above the climatological normal. At Quinta da Cabreira, in the Douro Superior, rainfall was 561.6 mm, 12% higher than the average of the last 20 years. Although the climatic conditions favored the development of the vines, they also resulted in strong potential pressure from diseases such as downy mildew, powdery mildew, and rot, aggravated by the favorable rainfall and temperatures between April and July. However, rigorous vineyard management prevented any impact on quality. During the summer, the mild daytime temperatures and cool nights promoted a slow and balanced ripening process, allowing for the full development and balance of all the compounds present in the berries. Despite the lack of rain during the final ripening phase, the precipitation that occurred in the preceding months ensured the necessary water supply, maintaining the vines' vitality until the completion of bunch formation and ripening. The favorable conditions during ripening, along with constant monitoring of climatic parameters and soil moisture, allowed for a gradual and exceptional harvest, with the grapes reaching their optimal ripeness between August and October. The harvest in the center of

Grape varieties: 60% Viosinho; 40% Verdelho

Winemaking:
The Quinta do Crasto harvest began on August 20th and ended on October 9th. The 2024 wines reflect the balance and harmony of this viticultural year. The white and rosé wines stand out for their vibrant intensity, captivating aromatic complexity, and natural acidity, which provides freshness and vitality. The red wines impress with their chromatic depth, remarkable elegance, and robust structure, with ripe tannins that confer a silky and refined texture. The Port wines, benefiting from the warm summer, present a captivating aromatic intensity and a solid structure. The year 2024 proved truly exceptional, with wines of excellent quality that show the perfect alignment between natural conditions and viticulture, standing out for their excellence and unique character.

Aging:
Crasto Superior Branco aged in French oak barrels for 6 months, undergoing a process of fine lees stirring (bâtonnage) with the barrels placed on a rotating system that allows the lees to be lifted without incorporating oxygen. 50% new barrel / 50% used barrel. | French oak barrel – 85% / French oak barrel with acacia tops – 15%

Exam Grade:
Pale lemon in color, with good clarity and brightness, it presents remarkable intensity, purity, and aromatic definition. On the nose, fresh citrus notes stand out—such as lime and grapefruit—delicately integrated with floral hints of orange blossom, supported by a vibrant mineral matrix. On the palate, it reveals itself as very fresh, precise, and tense, with a lively natural acidity that imparts remarkable energy. It evolves with depth, balance, and freshness into a wine of great seriousness, with excellent volume and enveloping texture. A wine with a clearly gastronomic profile, finishing long, persistent, and precise. Its well-integrated natural acidity and its solid and balanced structure suggest excellent aging potential.

Technical Information:
Vine Age: 28 Years | Serving Temperature: 8-10º | Exposure and Altitude: East - North 600 meters | Vineyard System: Vertical Vineyard; Vineyard in terraces of 1 and 2 rows | Alcohol: 12.5% | Bottling: June 2025 | Total Acidity: 6.1 g/L | pH: 3.34 | Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L