TN: 2003 Quinta do Vale Dona Maria

David Spriggs · Post by **David Spriggs** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:03 am

2003 Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro Quinta vale D. Maria - Portugal, Douro (10/28/2005)
Tasted at Quinta do Crasto in the Douro - Subtle closed nose. Very dark. Big, glycerol entry. Very fine tannins. A great wine for the US market. Medium long finish. I like this. (92 pts.)

Scott Kipping · Post by **Scott Kipping** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:31 pm

Tried this at a wine festival. Like yourself, thought it was very good. Unfortunately I was not able to procure any. 35ish here. How much is it Stateside?

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:21 pm

I'll open one bottle this Friday and let you updated with my notes. I've tasted it 2 times already in the following year of the release. To my taste this wine was just too much of everything. We'll see how it is evolving.

Cristiano had an intersting quote about this. The alcohol level in the berries raised by 1% in 3 days. The maturation of the grapes was going fast and this is why with a small harvest team they endend up having something a little too much from what they were expecting.

David Spriggs · Post by **David Spriggs** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:34 pm

I'll agree. I *much* prefer the 2004.

-Dave-