Quinta do Crasto Superior 2022 Douro Tinto 75cl

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 fruit. 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 must quality. 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, sourced from our Quinta da Cabreira estate in the Douro Superior region, were transported in food-grade plastic crates and subjected to rigorous sorting upon arrival at the winery. After complete destemming and light crushing, the must was transferred to stainless steel fermentation tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a controlled temperature.

Aging:
Crasto Superior was aged in French oak barrels, where it remained for approximately 12 months.

Exam Grade:
It presents an intense red hue with violet reflections. The aroma, vibrant and sophisticated, reveals a harmonious combination of wild berries, fresh forest nuances, and a touch of spice. On the palate, it begins with remarkable balance and finesse, evolving into a structure marked by firm, yet perfectly polished tannins, which provide an opulent and velvety texture. A wine of great character, which authentically reflects the essence of the Douro Superior, culminating in a long and distinctive finish.

Technical Information:
Vine Age: Over 20 years | Serving Temperature: 16-18º | Exposure, Soil and Altitude: East - North 130-450 meters | System: Vineyard on slopes; Vineyard on 1 and 2 trellis levels | Alcohol: 13.5% | Bottling: February 2025 | Total Acidity: 5.4 g/L | pH: 3.75 | Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L