The Esporão company was founded in 1973 by José Roquette and Joaquim Bandeira. Today, we are one of Portugal’s premier wine and olive oil producers, elevating the image and recognition of the country and the Alentejo, Douro and Vinho Verde regions exporting our products to over 50 countries. We are an ambassador of Portuguese culture, developing our activities within the boundaries of sustainability and the development of meaningful long term relationships with our clients and consumers worldwide.
AGRICULTURE
Integrated production (SATIVA certified). The winter was cold and dry, followed by a spring that was hot and also dry. The colder-than-normal temperatures at the beginning of the summer meant that the red grapes ripened earlier and were harvested in a perfect state of ripe boasting good levels of acidity and concentration. The harvest began on September 7.
SOIL TYPE: Schist
AGE OF VINES: 40 years old
QUINTA DOS MURÇAS | RESERVA | RED | 2015 | DOURO
GRAPE VARIETIES:
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz
VINIFICATION / MATURATION:
Hand-picked grapes, destemming, crushing, fermentation with indigenous yeasts and temperature control (25ºC – 28ºC) in granite ‘lagares’, foot treading and pressing in an old-style vertical press.
Aged in used French oak casks for 12 months.
This Douro DOC Reserva wine originates from the two oldest vineyards at the Quinta, planted at an altitude of 100 m and 300 m, facing south and south-west, in schist soils, and is produced respecting nature and by following sustainable agricultural methods. It showcases the Douro old vines’ potential for producing remarkably elegant wines with good ageing potential.
At our winery, the grapes are selected manually, trodden in granite tanks and pressed in an old vertical press.
WINE MAKERS: David Baverstock and José Luis Moreira da Silva
COLOUR: Deep dark and intense.
AROMA: Complex, fresh and elegant aroma of dark berry fruits, with balsamic notes and integrated spicy notes from oak barrel ageing.
PALATE: Firm and concentrated with balancing and present acidity, mature tannins well integrated in the body and volume. Long and persistent finish, balanced and elegant, with fruit notes
AWARDS:
Vintage 2012
Wine Enthusiast – 94 points
Wine Spectator – 92 points
Robert Parker – 91+ points
Vintage 2011
Wine Enthusiast – 94 points
Wine & Spirits – 94 points
Mundos Vini – Gran gold
Vintage 2010
Wine Enthusiast – 94 points
WINE MAKERS: David Baverstock and José Luís Moreira da Silva
COLOUR: Intense, with violet hues.
AROMA: Intense and lively nose with dominant ripe red fruit, floral and balsamic aromas.
PALATE: Fresh and lively with firm, ripe tannins and well-integrated acidity. Long and lingering finish that offers a balance of freshness and ripeness.
Served Temperature: 16 to 18°C
Total Alcohol: 14.5%
Portugal Region: DOC Douro