A New Douro Red from Ramos Pinto

Quinta da Ervamoira in the Douro Superior is one of the two Ramos Pinto properties that goes into making Duas Quintas, one of the Portugal’s best known and most reliable reds.  Now, after thirty years in partnership with Quinta de Bons Ares, it is out on its own.  This wine is produced from 4 plots of 30-year-old vines on the 178 hectare estate. The grapes are hand harvested and foot trodden in granite lagares prior to ageing in French oak for 18 months (a third in 1500 litre oak vats, a third in new barrels and a third in one-year-old barrels). Only 4,375 bottles were produced.    

Quinta da Ervamoira 2018, DOC Douro ****

A blend of 86% Touriga Nacional and 14% Touriga Franca (Francesa) from a relatively cool, damp year in the Douro: deep and dense in appearance, tight-knit initially on the nose with pronouncement of Touriga Nacional emerging to reveal wonderful purity of fruit with a hint of bergamot and orange blossom; firm and well-structured with well-integrated oak, suave, seductive tannins and, ripe cherry and plum fruit offset by a strand of fresh acidity that continues through on a long supple finish. The 15.5% alcohol is in balance. Approachable now, the wine will be even better in 3 - 5 years when the tannins have had time to soften. 18.