Quinta da Côrte 'Princesa' Reserva Douro DOC 2018
Quinta da Côrte recorded its first plantings in 1814, and was maintained by the same local farmer until 1927, when the Pacheco e Irmãos family took over the vineyards. At that time, the grapes were sold to the major families of the region: Delaforce, Taylor’s, Ramos Pinto and Croft, and were often crafted into single-vineyard, small production vintage Port.
In 2013, during his travels to the region, French producer Philippe Austruy fell in love with the estate and decided to invest, renovating the historic vineyard and winemaking facilities. Upholding a strong commitment to the highest quality wine, the Austruy family hired renowned adviser Stephane Derenoncourt and decided to begin bottling a boutique collection of wines from the estate.
Located in the central region of the Douro, Cima Corgo, Quinta da Côrte encompasses 25 hectares of classification A vineyards averaging over 60 years of age. The family produces primarily native varietals including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and Tinta Barroca. Planted mainly on schist soils, the small production vines yield wines of elegant structure, with superb volume and complexity. Like most Quinta in the region, Quinta da Côrte produces two dry red wines, along with an exclusive late bottled field blend and a selection of premium tawny wines. In the very best of years, the family produces a masterfully crafted vintage port.
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A nose of red berries, blackberry, blackcurrant and spice aromas. On the palate, the tannins are firm yet smooth. A long and elegant finish.
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Varietal Composition | 25% Touriga Franca, 25% Tinta Roriz, 25% Tinta Barroca, 25% a mix of native old-vine varietals |
| Appellation | Douro |
| Vineyard | Estate |
| Designation | Reserva |
| Aging | 5 months in 500 liter French barrels |
| Alcohol | 15.00% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | PORTUGAL |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
This young, dense and powerful wine is impressive for its structure of tannins and for the concentrated black plum and berry fruits. The wine's wood aging will soften into the fine fruits. But wait until 2023. — Wine Enthusiast, 92 pts
Dark, brooding nose of blackberries, blackcurrants, cloves, black pepper, charred bark, bitter chocolate and tobacco. Dried lavender, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. Compact and structured. Better from 2023. - James Suckling, 92 pts
This has a zesty mix of blackberry, boysenberry and blueberry fruit flavors, mixed with warm fruitcake and backed by chocolate and bramble notes on the finish. Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca. - Wine Spectator, 90 pts
The 2018 Tinto Princesa Reserva is a blend of 25% Touriga Franca, 25% Tinta Roriz, 25% Tinta Barroca and the rest a field blend from old vines, aged in for 12 months in 50% new French oak. The vine age here ranges from 40 to 90 years. A bigger and more powerful wine than the regular 2016 (although that had two years more in the bottle), this is fairly intense and less evolved. It maintains many of the other themes, including reasonable mid-palate finesse (although the 2016 wins there), good structure and perhaps a high-toned hint, although not really an issue here. (I'm wondering if perhaps there is something in the grape blend producing that.) Overall, this is very well crafted with a refined feel, but it could use another couple of years in the cellar. That's not to say it is unapproachable, as the tannins are not too hard, but it could use a year or two to come together. - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 pts
