At a glance

Producer

Quinta do Crasto

Region

Douro, Portugal

Grape variety

Field blend of old vine Douro varieties (typically 25-30 grape varieties including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, among others)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$50-90 USD (primary retail/auction range depending on provenance and condition)

Tasting profile

Rich black fruits with plum, black cherry, and hints of licorice, integrated spice, leather, and mineral complexity. Tannins have softened considerably.

Evolution: From dense, ripe fruit and firm structure in youth to complex, savory, and layered profile with tertiary notes of forest floor, dried herbs, and mature leather.

At peak: Expected to remain elegant and harmonious through 2025, with continued tertiary development up to 2028 for well-stored bottles.

Structure

Acidity

Bright and balancing, contributes freshness and ageworthiness

Tannins

Polished, resolving, previously firm but now becoming supple and graceful

Alcohol

Moderate to moderately high (typically 14-14.5%)

Aging potential

Excellent for a Douro red; still several years of plateau remaining if stored well

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2019 to 2036

Optimal window

2016 to 2039

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

The wine is at or slightly past peak; tertiary aromatics present with softened tannins and integrated fruit, no evidence of decline if cellared well

This wine's field blend from century-old vines (Vinhas Velhas) gives it rare aging potential for a Douro DOC red, with the 2011 vintage considered one of the greatest of the decade in Portugal. Its peak drinking phase coincides with the ideal integration of structure and complex aromatics, typically achieved at 8-14 years from vintage. Well-stored bottles can see a further plateau, though marked fruit freshness will gradually recede after 2025.

Food pairing

Red meat (roast beef, lamb), game birds, duck with berry sauce, aged hard cheeses, wild mushroom dishes, and complex Mediterranean cuisine.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has aged for 14 years and has polished, resolving tannins, which benefit from aeration to enhance its complexity and soften any remaining tannic structure.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Hand harvesting of old vines, minimal synthetic intervention, hillside terracing reduces erosion, investments in modernizing winemaking with consideration toward energy and water efficiency, local cork closure. Limited use of chemical treatments.

Quinta do Crasto is recognized for attention to sustainable viticulture, including preservation of ancient vine stock and traditional dry-farmed terraces. While not certified organic or biodynamic, the estate has implemented water management policies and reduces use of synthetic inputs, focusing on biodiversity and native grape preservation. Packaging is standard (glass bottle, natural cork), which is average for carbon footprint. The wine's export to global markets contributes to a higher transport-related footprint. Overall sustainability is above average for the Douro region but does not reach the highest possible scores reserved for officially certified organic/biodynamic or carbon-neutral operations.