Quinta do Crasto Touriga Franca 2021 Douro Tinto 75cl
Descripción
Designation of Origin: Douro
Vintage Year:
After 2017 and 2018, with productions significantly below the average of the last decade, 2019 proved to be more generous in quantity and closer to the average production level we are accustomed to at Quinta do Crasto. However, it was still considered a challenging year, following a dry winter and spring that led to low levels of water reserves in the soil for the vines' needs. We observed, however, that in the months of June, July, and August, the vines showed balanced leaf areas and a healthy appearance, not indicating high symptoms of water stress. We attribute this balance to the mild temperatures (5ºC lower than the average of the last 5 years at Quinta do Crasto) that prevailed from May until the end of August. This factor contributed positively to the grape ripening period during July and August, which proceeded slowly and very evenly. As a result, we achieved exceptional levels of grape ripeness. The 2019 harvest went very smoothly, with cool nights and hot, dry days allowing the grapes to be harvested at the right time. The rain that fell on September 21st and 22nd was also essential, helping to refine the ripening of some varieties.
Grape varieties: later-ripening varieties, namely Touriga Franca. In the 2019 vintage, we received the first white grapes from Quinta do Crasto on August 26th and finished the harvest on October 11th with the last grapes from the higher altitude vineyards. As a final result, in 2019 we have very expressive white wines, with excellent concentration, showing extraordinary freshness. The red wines also reflect the balance achieved during the growing season, presenting themselves as very complete wines, where we can find vibrant aromas, excellent concentration, solid structure and above all great balance, indicating excellent potential for evolution.
Winemaking:
The grapes, sourced from the best Touriga Franca plots at Quinta do Crasto, were transported in 22 kg crates and subjected to rigorous sorting upon arrival at the winery. After total destemming and light crushing, the must was transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks. At the end of alcoholic fermentation, a gentle pressing was performed.
Aging:
Quinta do Crasto Touriga Franca 2019 was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
Exam Grade:
Deep violet in color, it presents intense aromas of forest fruits in harmony with subtle notes of spice. On the palate, it begins with excellent volume, showing itself to be a wine of serious structure, composed of fine and persistent tannins. An engaging wine that perfectly reflects the typical characteristics of the Touriga Franca grape variety and finishes with excellent freshness and persistence.
Technical Information:
Vine Age: 36 years | Serving Temperature: 16-18º | Exposure, Soil and Altitude: East - South 300 meters | Vineyard System: 2-bark trellises | Alcohol: 14.5% | Bottling: March 2022 | Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L | pH: 3.66 | Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L
