At a glance

Producer

Quinta do Pôpa

Region

Douro, Portugal

Grape variety

Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca (blend)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

€60-90 (auction/secondary markets); was ~€40 retail upon release

Tasting profile

Evolved nose of dried black fruits, dark cherry, fig, leather, smoky oak, earthy undertones. Palate is velvety, with softened tannins, mature fruit, tobacco and spice, cedar box.

Evolution: Was dense and structured in youth; now tertiary with more dried fruit, leather, and sous-bois

At peak: Peak complexity already realized (2017-2021); will hold for short term but losing freshness

Structure

Acidity

Medium, still provides lift, but fading

Tannins

Polished, rounded, softening from aging

Alcohol

14.0% ABV (typical for Douro reds of this style)

Aging potential

Originally strong, mature now; best to drink by 2025

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2017 to 2034

Optimal window

2014 to 2037

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Mature, tertiary notes; will decline slowly, advisable to drink soon

Douro blends with high quality, such as this, have 10-15 year peak aging windows; 2009 was a warm, ripe vintage. Consistent storage ensures balanced evolution, but 15 years is the practical ceiling for optimal pleasure from this wine.

Food pairing

Roasted lamb, grilled beef, game, mushroom dishes, hard cheeses, Portuguese chouriço

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Native yeast fermentations, gravity-fed winery, limited synthetic input; since 2015, increased focus on biodiversity, native flora, and use of recycled packaging. Energy sourced mainly from grid, with solar incorporation ongoing.

Quinta do Pôpa has steadily improved its sustainability credentials over the last decade, but for the 2009 vintage, its practices were progressive for the region but not ahead of global best-practice (no certification, still some conventional inputs). Facility design minimizes water use and supports eco-friendly viticulture, but carbon footprint rises with export. Packaging is standard glass. Overall, above-average sustainability for Douro at the time, but not exemplary by 2024 standards.