Quinta do Crasto

It is not easy to get to the “Crasto”. It’s the way it’s called by those bands, “Quinta do Crasto”. It seems that there is a slightly easier way to get there: leave directly from the A24 in the direction of “Sabrosa”. But we were in “Pinhão” … And then we had to get on the way. Along this narrow road, on the north bank of the river “Douro”, towards “Covas do Douro”. We passed through “Quinta de la Rosa”, then through “Quinta do Porto” (from where tawnys and others go to “Ferreira”), we passed other farms and places, we inflected to the interior, leaving the river for moments, until we reached “Covas do Douro” … Then we continue our trip, the “Douro” was there again, we cross the junction to “Quinta da Veiga”, but we continued down to “Quinta Nova”. After we have passed this one, we know that we are not far. We descended until we were almost at the level of the river … then we went up again, and when we saw the “Quinta da Marka”, we also saw the “Crasto”, first the iconic “Vinha Maria Teresa”, with its autumnal aspect … In short, it is 30 minutes from “Pinhão”, to travel a few kilometers …

On arrival, we are very well received. Our hostess “Andreia” offers us a coffee and cookies, before we visit the farm … passing before, of course, the fantastic swimming pool designed by the architect “Souto Moura” …

There are about 70 hectares of vineyards, in addition to olive oil and other crops. We know that they have rooms to stay overnight, although the “hotel” is not integrated into the usual hotel circuits (it works only by direct dialing, and even with many exceptions …). In fact, we have the feeling that the future of this wine tourism option is not well defined … They also have wine lunches and dinners (and events) by appointment …

But we followed our walk through the farm … the “Douro” at our feet … the “Quinta de Niepoort” on the other side of the bank of the “Douro” … the importance of community funds for the development of the farm … and we saw the “Vinha da Ponte”… A little less than 2 hectares of very old vines, immediately post-phylloxeric … It is the first one to harvest, and we also know that, despite numerous mixed grape varieties, “Tinta Amarela” predominates. Although the “Quinta do Crasto” brand has existed (in table wines) since 1994, it was with the 1998 harvest that the idea of making a wine with the name of the 2 oldest vineyards was born: “Vinha da Ponte” and “Vinha Maria Teresa”. And the result left no doubt …

As we approach the winery and the “oenological laboratory”, we also approach the “Maria Teresa” vineyard. Beautiful, in this autumnal season … Just under 5 hectares, facing the spring … Hence to be more protected, and to get along in the hot years. But although there is always the temptation to bottle these parcels separately, this is not what has happened. The winemaker “Manuel Lobo de Vasconcelos” and his team decide: If they think that the quality is not enough, either one (“Maria Teresa or Ponte”) ends up entering in the “Vinhas Velhas” classic lot.

The winery is supermodern, although traditional methods of milling in the mills continue to be used. And the storehouse of barrels and barrels impresses.

And it’s time for lunch. The wine shop is for later. Grilled cod and kid are the main dishes … and various traditional classic desserts. The weather does not allow it to be on the terrace, over the pool and the “Douro”. But we did not stay bad at the warehouse … Here are the wines that accompanied the meal:

The Wines:

// Crasto branco 2015

This is a white that usually does not have large variations in quality. It is what it is. Of the traditional varieties of the “Douro”, it is a soft and fruity white with 12% volume. It’s not a pool wine, but do not expect too much from it. It is simply a smooth and pleasant white.
. Price: 8 euros
. Rating: 15.5v

// Crasto Superior 2014

This red, as the name implies, comes from the “Quinta do Douro Superior” that the owners bought a few years ago: “Quinta da Cabreira”, whose size is larger than “Quinta do Crasto” (about 120 hectares of vineyard), and where the vineyards are mainly young.
This year, the profile of this wine is different. It is a fuller body wine than usual, denser, and this has nothing to do with the fact that it is still young. But there is very intense fruit there, all the flavor, and all the upper “Douro” that normally characterizes it. The profile is different, but the set is very nice.
. Price: 14.50 euros
. Rating: 17v

// Quinta do Crasto Reserva Vinhas Velhas 2014

Of all the wines we have tasted, this is the least ready; was still very young … But there is no doubt that the quality will remain. The profile is also the usual. A full-bodied, greedy wine, with American oak lurking there …
. Price: 28 euros
. Rating: 17.5v

// Xisto 2013

7th edition of this wine (2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012). A wine that excels by finesse. The aroma and taste look like a typical “Douro”, but it is the fineness and elegance that jumps to the palate, from the moment we put it in the mouth to the end that is fantastic. So young and already so wonderful.
. Price: 72 euros
. Rating: 18.5v

// Quinta do Crasto Colheita 1997

Here it is the first harvest of “Quinta do Crasto”. Bottled up in 2016, it’s like a Port 20 years. By the color looks younger, but soon the aroma denotes a lot of complexity. And the mouth confirms this, with fruits and dried figs in abundance, nice smoothness and very interesting end. A good pudding and a good milk-cream harmonize like sour cherries. Beautiful harvest.
. Rating: 17.5v
. Price: 60 euros

QUINTA DO CRASTO
Quinta do Crasto, Gouvinhas 5060-063 Sabrosa – Portugal
T: (+351) 254920020

P.F. (NOV 2016)