Quinta Vale D. Maria
With less than one hectare, this small vineyard is located near the Torto River, which flows at the foot of Quinta Vale D. Maria. It has 29 different grape varieties, with a predominance of Tinta Barroca (almost 50%), all planted in a mixture, in a vineyard with an average age of 80 years – our oldest vines. Facing south, this vineyard benefits from several hours of shade at the end of the day, due to its proximity to the hill and the height of the mountain in front of it. Since our first harvest at Quinta Vale D. Maria in 1996, we have identified unique characteristics in each plot. Harvest after harvest, the winery filled with lively and penetrating aromas whenever the grapes from Vinha do Rio were vinified. Formerly integrated into the Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinhas Velhas blend, these plots were decided to be vinified and bottled separately, highlighting the rare elegance and distinction of the wine therein. This decision was made in the 2009 harvest and has remained so for all subsequent years.
Vinification and aging: All grapes are handpicked, carefully selected on a sorting table, and foot trodden in granite lagares, where they ferment for 7 to 10 days at temperatures of 22ºC to 27ºC. They are then transferred to new selected French oak barrels of 225L where malolactic fermentation and aging take place for 21 months. The final barrel selection and lot composition generally occur between May and June of the second year after harvest, followed by bottle aging.
Food Pairing: Confit duck breast with beet and apple slices, watercress and walnuts; lamb rib in herb crust and truffled polenta.
Winemaking Direction: Diogo Campilho
Winemaker: Rui Viana
Wine Consultant: Valérie Lavigne
Awards
95/ 100 Revista de Vinhos (wine magazine)
94/100 Wine Enthusiast
19/20 Revista Grandes Escolhas (wine magazine)
93+/ 100 Robert Parker
Allergens information
Contains sulphites.
SKU: 106535
