Quinta do Vallado, Douro, 'Vallado' Superior Tinto 2021

Quinta do Vallado was established in 1716 and is one of the oldest and most famous estates in the Douro Valley. It is located on the banks of the River Corgo, a tributary of the River Douro, near the town of Peso da Régua. It was once the property of the legendary Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira and remains in the possession of her descendants João and Fransicsco to this day. For nearly 200 years, Quinta do Vallado produced fine Port marketed by the family business Casa Ferreira. During the early 1990s, Quinta do Vallado diversified and alongside their top-quality single estate Ports, it started producing dry red, white and rosé wines under its own brand. Simultaneously, the team began restructuring the vineyards, planting single varietal plots, breaking the tradition of multiple varieties being co-planted. Today, the Quinta has 10 hectares of old, low yielding vines planted between 1920s and 1950s, 55 hectares planted during the 1990s and following the acquisition of Quinta do Orgal in Douro Superior, 35 hectares of organic vineyard.

2021 was a mild year in terms of temperature and had an atypical rainfall distribution in June and September, but overall, 2021 was good in terms of production and quality of the grapes. The 2021 wines are more elegant and fresher than in previous years.

The grapes for this wine come from a certified organic vineyard. The vines are planted at altitudes ranging between 80 and 400 metres on south and west facing slopes which maximise exposure to the sun assisting the ripening potential of the grapes. The landscape is characterised by the terraces that make up the vineyards. The soils are made up of schist, a slate-like metamorphic rock which is rich in nutrients, and also offers useful water retention properties. The vines are pruned according to the Double Cordon system and are harvested at optimal maturity.

Each parcel was vinified separately in stainless steel vats, under controlled temperatures with periodical pumping over. The wine was then aged for 16 months in used French oak barrels.