QUINTA DO VESUVIO

Picked from 21st September onwards, Touriga Nacional followed by Touriga Franca. These two varieties make up most of the blend supplemented by a little Sousão grown on more granitic soils. Entirely foot trodden in granite lagares on the estate. Rich and heady on the nose with ripe blackberry jam fruit and a touch of aromatic esteva (gum cistus) on the nose; dense and opulent on the palate, sundrenched fruit backed by big, ripe velvety tannins and a dusty tannic finish. Full, round and satisfying, showing richness, weight and finesse. 1000 cases produced in total Rating: 17.5+ Richard Mayson, www.richardmayson.com  (Sept 2017)

From 140 out of 400 ha of lots planted – varietally, not field blends – when they bought it in 1989. One of the Ferreiras planted monovarietal blocks in the 1970s so they have some of the Douro’s oldest monovarietal blocks. Touriga Franca responds best to vine age. 60% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca and 10% Sousão. North-facing vineyards, so very good in 2015. All foot trodden – very unusual! 1,000 cases. Blackish purple. Very exciting and heady nose. Extremely luscious nose – pure hedonistic pleasure! Massively ripe nose and then rigorous palate. Cool finish. Such energy and minerally finish. The sweetest wine in this collection but so much tannin that you don’t really see it. So complex and clean. Lots of tannins! Drinking range: 2030 - 2070 Rating: 18.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Aug 2017)

Extremely aromatic with violet, blackberry and blueberry character. Full body, beautiful center palate and length. Tight and focused. Goes on for minutes. Super quality. Try in 2026. Rating: 95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2017)