Quinta dos Murças Reserva, Douro

The fruit for the Reserva comes from the two oldest vineyards on the property, with vine average age being about 45 years, the higher one is 280 metres above sea level. Both have schistous soils and are farmed under a sustainable viticultural regime, a number of grapes are grown here including the following which all feature in the 2011 vintage: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Roriz. After hand picking the grapes are destemmed, gently crushed and fermented in granite lagares prior to basket pressing. The wine is aged in a mixture of used French and American oak barrels for about a year. The nose shows complex aromas of dark berry fruit, with balsamic notes and oak spice; the palate is concentrated with mature tannins and balancing acidity supporting the fruit flavours.