At a glance

Producer

Quinta da Fata

Region

Dão, Portugal

Grape variety

Blend (Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro, Jaen)

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$23-35 USD

Tasting profile

Red cherry, plum, dried herbs, violet, earthy undertones, spice and subtle oak

Evolution: Primary fruit evolving into dried fruit and forest floor; spice and cedar notes become more prominent

At peak: Best balance of complexity and freshness until 2025; then softer, more tertiary

Structure

Acidity

Fresh, typical of Dão, providing longevity

Tannins

Medium to medium-high, integrated, with a fine-grained texture

Alcohol

13-13.5% (medium)

Aging potential

Moderate to good; should hold through 2027 with further tertiary development

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2022 to 2036

Optimal window

2021 to 2039

Current status

Drinking well, in its prime drinking window

Current condition

Showcases maturity of Dão reds from good vintage; balance of structure, fruit and tertiary complexity

Dão Reservas from top years often peak between 5-9 years from vintage due to natural acidity and moderate structure, allowing for both fruit and secondary complexity.

Food pairing

Roast lamb, mushroom risotto, game birds, hard cheeses (Manchego, aged Cheddar)

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has medium to medium-high tannins which can benefit from aeration to soften and enhance its flavors. Decanting for 30 minutes will help integrate the aromas and improve the overall drinking experience.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Family-run estate, promotes hillside biodiversity and hand-harvesting; no documented use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides; unspecified energy or water management policies; glass bottle, standard cork

Quinta da Fata practices some traditional, low-intervention viticulture with hand-harvesting and hillside biodiversity but lacks formal sustainability certifications or demonstrable reductions in energy, packaging, or broader carbon practices. Local/regional footprint is moderate but increases substantially when exported abroad due to glass and distance. No evidence of major sustainability initiatives lowers score, but small-scale, integrated farming with limited chemical use improves it above mass-market operations.