TN: 2004 Quinta do Crasto Old Vine Reserva
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
TN: 2004 Quinta do Crasto Old Vine Reserva
I had this with Todd Pettinger (his donation to our pizza night that followed the Taylor vertical) on Friday night. We had six to eight very fine wines on the table and I must say, this was by far my favorite ... in a heck of a lineup. Somewhere in the 92+ point range, it went extremely well with pizza (yes I was surprised) and was so fresh and vibrant. I wish I had a couple of cases, rather than a half dozen bottles ... but it would be impossible to keep my hands off of them.
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
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Bob Parsons Alberta
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 10:21 pm
- Location: Alberta, Alberta, Canada
My notes from Garrs forum last week!!
TN: `04 Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines.
My second bottle of three! Owned by the Roquette family, new winemaker is Dominic Miller (?) from land of Oz. Maybe a new direction in the coming years?
Blend of mainly Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional, foot-treading in lagares.
Bottled unfiltered, good natural cork, 14.5% alc, $26 Cdn. Expect this wine to be very expressive of the Douro!
Color. Dark purple, no red hints and no sign of age. The centre is getting close to being almost opaque.
Nose. Violets, cherry, berry fruits. Fresh, lively, hint of chocolate, oak and spice. No pepper and not much of a change after decanting for 3 hrs.
Palate. Initial mouthfeel entry is ripe black fruits, soft tannins, smooth and drinks nicely. Giving it some time, noted silky/mocha/port-like/no heat.
Very nice balance`twixt the alcohol, the spice and the ripe fruit. Better half thought "cherry, plum some might think more of a modern style" but she has thought that before!
After 24 hrs, I was afraid of a downward closing trend but held up pretty well on further reflection. I did notice vanilla and coconut on the nose (how did I miss that last night?). Took into DeVines and staff thought top-notch, so there!
TN: `04 Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines.
My second bottle of three! Owned by the Roquette family, new winemaker is Dominic Miller (?) from land of Oz. Maybe a new direction in the coming years?
Blend of mainly Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional, foot-treading in lagares.
Bottled unfiltered, good natural cork, 14.5% alc, $26 Cdn. Expect this wine to be very expressive of the Douro!
Color. Dark purple, no red hints and no sign of age. The centre is getting close to being almost opaque.
Nose. Violets, cherry, berry fruits. Fresh, lively, hint of chocolate, oak and spice. No pepper and not much of a change after decanting for 3 hrs.
Palate. Initial mouthfeel entry is ripe black fruits, soft tannins, smooth and drinks nicely. Giving it some time, noted silky/mocha/port-like/no heat.
Very nice balance`twixt the alcohol, the spice and the ripe fruit. Better half thought "cherry, plum some might think more of a modern style" but she has thought that before!
After 24 hrs, I was afraid of a downward closing trend but held up pretty well on further reflection. I did notice vanilla and coconut on the nose (how did I miss that last night?). Took into DeVines and staff thought top-notch, so there!
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Todd Pettinger
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:59 am
- Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
Re: 2004 Quinta do Crasto Reserva
RoyRoy Hersh wrote:I had this with Todd Pettinger (his donation to our pizza night that followed the Taylor vertical) on Friday night. We had six to eight very fine wines on the table and I must say, this was by far my favorite ... in a heck of a lineup. Somewhere in the 92+ point range, it went extremely well with pizza (yes I was surprised) and was so fresh and vibrant. I wish I had a couple of cases, rather than a half dozen bottles ... but it would be impossible to keep my hands off of them.
Roy should take SOME credit for this selection... I led him to the Portuguese Dry Reds selection at deVines and he singled this bottle out as the winner out of what he described as an excellent selection of Douro Reds. I simply paid.
While I didn't take an official TN, I remember thinking that it was Port, with no sweetness. Wow... an amazing "dry" red. If they were all like this I would be broke really quickly...
Bob,
Where did you find this one for $26C? If I can find it at that price, I would likely buy a half dozen.
Todd
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Bob Parsons Alberta
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 10:21 pm
- Location: Alberta, Alberta, Canada
I bought my first grouping of bottles of this in Vancouver, Canada back in April for $33. I believe they were like $35 at deVines a few weeks ago. In CA, I think Andy and others first grabbed 'em at $30ish. Regardless, given the fact that 10% of the juice in these bottles comes from declassified old vines from the great MT single vineyard plot at Crasto, even $40 will look like a bargain in years to come. Even though this is far from their top of the line, from '04 grapes from Crasto ... how do you possibly go wrong. Everyone should have a case or two of this.
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
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Todd Pettinger
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:59 am
- Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
True enough Roy, although knowing that Bob paid $26 for it a year ago...
I will be acquiring a lot more of this over the coming months, probably as ones and twos purchased when I drop in for tastings and Port purchases, but I have a feeling that when the wife is able to drink again she will really like this... making it easier to justify buying LOTS!
I will be acquiring a lot more of this over the coming months, probably as ones and twos purchased when I drop in for tastings and Port purchases, but I have a feeling that when the wife is able to drink again she will really like this... making it easier to justify buying LOTS!