Quinta do Crasto, Touriga Nacional, Douro Valley, 2012

According to Tomas Roquette, Quinta do Crasto was first mentioned 400 years ago in 1615. Today it has 220 ha situated between Regua and Pinhao. Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional 2012 is a special single varietal wine from the old Touriga Nacional clone and is taken from 40 year old vineyards. ‘It’s a tiny production and in some years, we don’t make this wine. But when we do, the results are always good,’ Roquette added. Each parcel is vinified separately and the wine has been aged for 16 months in French 225L barriques. Broodingly opaque, it has a typically floral Touriga nose. In the mouth, the wine is very complete with real palate presence, acidity and structure. There’s also a complex flavour spectrum from sweet, creamy blackberry to lush Morello cherry with a twist of bitter chocolate and crushed velvet tannins. The finish is imperiously long.