Quinta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte 2019 Douro Tinto 75cl

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 from the Vinha da Ponte vineyard were transported in 22 kg capacity boxes and subjected to rigorous sorting on a sorting table at the entrance to the winery. After total destemming and treading in a traditional lagar (wine press), the must was transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks. At the end of alcoholic fermentation, a gentle pressing was carried out.

Aging:
Quinta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte 2019 aged in 100% new French oak barrels for approximately 20 months. The final blend results from the selection of the best barrels.

Exam Grade:
Opaque, with vibrant, deep violet hues, it presents a remarkable projection and aromatic complexity on the nose, where aromas of wild Douro berries are in perfect balance with elegant spicy and cocoa notes. On the palate, it is elegant, evolving into a wine of great volume and very solid structure, composed of firm tannins of excellent texture. It finishes with great complexity and exceptional depth. A unique wine that captures the authentic essence of its terroir, reflecting the soul of Vinha da Ponte.

Technical Information:
Vine Age: Over 100 years | Serving Temperature: 16-18º | Exposure, Soil and Altitude: East - South | Soil: Schist | 180-220 meters | System: Traditional terraced vineyard | Alcohol: 14.5% | Bottling: March 2022 | Total Acidity: 5.6 g/L | pH: 3.6 | Residual Sugar: 1.4 g/L