Quinta do Crasto (Vineyards, Best Wines, Prices 2024)
Further reading
- Learn everything about Fine Wine Investment in this super-insightful article.
- Check out our Complete Guides on The Classic Bordeaux and White Burgundy Wines.
A Quick Intro To Quinta do Crasto
Quinta do Crasto is a 130-hectare wine estate owned and managed by the Roquette family. The winery is located on the right bank of the Douro River in Gouvinhas (Sabrosa, northern Portugal) between Pinhao and Regua.
Its name ‘Crasto’ comes from the Latin word ‘castrum.’ The Latin word castrum translates to ‘Roman Fort.’
The range of premium Crasto products - Douro wines, Port wines (and extra virgin olive oil) - makes Quinta do Crasto one of Portugal’s leading wineries.
Besides producing high-quality wines and olive oils, the Crasto estate has also opened its gates for wine tourism.
Also read: How about exploring some red wines? Check out the Intense Malbec, Fruity Barbera, and Smoky Zinfandel wines.
A Brief History Of Quinta do Crasto
Quinta do Crasto has been producing delicious wines since 1615 - even before Duoro became the world’s first demarcated wine region (in 1756.)
The estate’s vineyards were given the Feitoria status - the highest vineyard classification of the time. To showcase this achievement, the Marquis of Pombal installed 335 granite pillars around the estate between 1758 and 1761.
These stone markers can still be seen today near the century-old farmhouse - though they are now a property of national interest. Constantino de Almeida, the founder of the Constantino wine house, acquired Quinta do Crasto in the early 1900s and passed it to his son, Fernando Moreira d’Almeida, in 1923.
In 1981, Fernando’s daughter, Leonor Roquette, and her husband, Jorge Roquette, got the majority of this ancient wine estate ownership.
Today, Leonor and Jorge, together with their children (Miguel, Tomás, and Rita), carry the tradition of producing the highest possible Port wines. They rebuilt the winery, replanted the vineyards, and adopted modern winemaking technology (like vineyard mapping) to improve the quality of their wines.
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The Terroirs Of Quinta do Crasto
Quinta do Crasto enjoys the dry climate of the Cima Corgo sub-region. The 70 hectares of vineyards are situated on steep slopes near the Douro river that enjoy excellent sun exposure and complex schist soils.
The traditional socalcos (terraces with stone retaining walls) have some of the oldest vines that produce low but concentrated yields, and intense, complex, and concentrated wines.
Vinha Maria Teresa and Vinha da Ponte are the oldest vineyards of this estate, the fruit from which are used to make Reserva Vinhas Velhas wine. In the 1990s, Quinta do Crasto bought another vineyard - Quinta da Cabreira wine estate on the left bank of the Douro river.
Let’s take a closer look at these new and old vineyards.
- Vinha Maria Teresa: This vineyard has around 54 identified and 5 unidentified grape varieties planted on its schist soils, with some being as old as 100 years. The low yields of these old vines help the winemaker to produce complex wines that are full of character.
- Vinha da Ponte: This is a southeast-facing vineyard plot planted with old vines (more than 100 years of age) in socalcos.
- Quinta da Cabreira: Situated in the Douro Superior (upper Douro) subregion, Quinta do Crasto enjoys the privileged location on the left bank of the Douro River in the Douro region. The 114 hectares of vineyards of Quinta da Cabreira consists of 4 hectares of old vines and 110 hectares of new ones.
The vineyards are equipped with an efficient drip irrigation system and are planted with vines like Rabigato, Viosinho, Verdelho, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and Touriga Franca.
Also read: Take a walk through The Italian Wine Region of Chianti Wine in this comprehensive article. Also explore the beautiful Chateauneuf-du-Pape Wine Region.
Quinta do Crasto Wines
Quinta do Crasto produces a range of delicious Douro and Port wines.
1. Douro Wines
Here are some of the major Quinta do Crasto Douro wines.
- Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa: A sourced from the grapes of Vinha Maria Teresa vineyard, it is admired for its intense complexity.
- Quinta do Crasto Touriga Franca: It is a Touriga Franca varietal wine known for its red fruit aromas and silky tannins.
- Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines: This Reserva wine is produced from a blend of special old vine grapes. Aging in French oak barrels gives it complex and concentrated aromas.
- Crasto Superior Syrah: Made from the fruit of Douro Superior vineyard, the Crasto Superior wine carries fresh red berries flavors of Syrah grape variety.
- Crasto Superior White: This white wine is produced from the grapes of Quinta da Cabreira vineyards and is mostly known for its floral hints and subtle minerality.
Also read: A white wine lover? Discover Aromatic Sauvignon Blanc and Elegant Riesling wines.
Other Douro Wines
Quinta do Crasto also produces Vinha da Ponte, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Superior Red, Crasto (Red, Rose, and White), and Flor de Crasto (Red and White) table wines.
2. Porto (Port) Wines
Quinta do Crasto produces four different Porto wines.
- Quinta do Crasto Colheita Port: A sweet and nutty, the Colheita Port is produced only in special years.
- Quinta do Crasto Vintage Port: This Vintage Port is made from the grapes of Crasto’s best vines and displays great complexity and aging.
- Quinta do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Port: This Crasto LBV port with red fruit aromas is bottled after 4-6 years of Portuguese oak vats aging.
- Quinta do Crasto Finest Reserve Port: An elegant and fresh Port wine, this red wine is matured for three years in Portuguese oak vats.
Want to give a delicious Quinta do Crasto as a wine gift?
Best Quinta do Crasto Wines In 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)
Here are some of our must-try Quinta do Crasto wines in 2024.
1. Quinta do Crasto 'Honore' Very Old Tawny Porto
The Quinta do Crasto ‘Honore’ is a very old Tawny Port (over 100 years old) produced from the vintages made before 1918.
The aromatic nose opens with notes of lavender and honey. The palate displays a beautiful balance between refreshing acidity and oak aging.
Price of Quinta do Crasto 'Honore' Very Old Tawny Porto: $6,507
2. 2015 Quinta do Crasto 'Honore' Tinto
One of the best vintages of Quinta do Crasto, the 2015 Quinta do Crasto 'Honore' Tinto is made of grapes from Vinha da Ponte and Vinha Maria Teresa.
The nose has intense citrus aromas with hints of wild berries and spice. On the palate, the wine has a compact structure with fine tannin and berry fruit flavor.
Price of 2015 Quinta do Crasto 'Honore' Tinto: $505
Also read: Discover Delicious Rose Wines from across the globe.
3. 2003 Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa
A great wine to hold in your cellar, the 2003 Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa is full of firm tannins. The nose gives off plum and fig notes, while the palate showcases blackberry flavors.
Tasting reveals a little complexity with subtle oak notes that balances the dusty tannins of the wine.
Price of 2003 Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa: $374
4. 2000 Quinta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte
The nose is layered and complex with raspberry, strawberry, mushroom, leather, and green pepper notes. The palate is dominated by black fruit flavors and has a long finish.
Price of 2000 Quinta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte: $382
5. 2004 Quinta do Crasto 'Xisto' Roquette e Cazes
The nose of this Douro valley wine reveals elegant red fruit aromas. On the palate, you notice fleshy, silky tannins and exotic tropical fruit notes.
Price of 2004 Quinta do Crasto 'Xisto' Roquette e Cazes: $208
6. 1999 Quinta do Crasto Tinto Cao
The 1999 Quinta do Crasto Tinto Cao red wine delivers great complexity.
Forest underbrush, game, spicy cranberry, and chocolate aromas dominate the nose. Wine tasting reveals a supple mouthfeel, moderate tannins, and subtle acidity.
Price of 1999 Quinta do Crasto Tinto Cao: $75
7. 2003 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional
The 2003 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional has an impressive nose with chocolate, black fruit, and leather aromas. The palate is rounded with firm tannins and smoked cherry flavor.
Price of 2003 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional: $96
8. 2017 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Franca
In the glass, this Douro DOC wine displays a deep purple color.
The nose of this red wine gives off fresh red fruit aromas with subtle hints of spice. The palate is weighty with rounded tannins and well-integrated red fruit notes.
Price of 2017 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Franca: $71
9. 1997 Quinta do Crasto Tinta Roriz
The 1997 Tinta Roriz vintage by Quinta do Crasto is a vivid and deep red wine.
The nose gives off intense ripe red fruit aromas. The soft and rounded palate has a long and lingering finish.
Price of 1997 Quinta do Crasto Tinta Roriz: $118
10. 1994 Quinta do Crasto Vintage Port
A ruby red wine, the 1994 Quinta do Crasto Vintage Port shows a great concentration of fruit.
The nose reveals smoky, jammy black fruits and licorice aromas. The palate has a full-body, well-integrated tannins, and a slightly sweet flavor.
Price of 1994 Quinta do Crasto Vintage Port: $94
Thinking about investing in these fine wines?
Should You Invest In Quinta do Crasto Wines?
In general, Port wines can age for 20-50 years, while brilliant Douro wines can spend 10-15 years in the cellars.
According to Robert Parker, the 2015 Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria (one of their best vintage) has an aging potential of 30+ years.
The Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria has shown a steady price appreciation. In a single year (Sept 2019 - Aug 2020), the wine price went from $332 to $390.
Another great example is the 2013 Vinha Maria Teresa vintage - its price grew from $120 in July 2018 to $239 in Dec 2020.
But not all Quinta do Crasto wines age the same. Neither do all wines enjoy a similar price appreciation.
If you’re looking for a long-term investment asset that will give you good returns, then you need the right Quinta do Crasto or other investment wines.
But how do you find the right wine to invest in? Also, how would you ensure its authenticity?
Your best bet would be to buy your Quinta do Crasto and other fine collectible wines through a trusted wine investment company like Vinovest.
Buy Authentic Quinta do Crasto And Other Collectible Wines Through Vinovest
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Start Your Wine Investment Journey With The Right Wine Bottles!
Quinta do Crasto is one of the fastest-growing wineries of Portugal and offers wines that are intense and complex with a unique character. It is also perfect for wine tourism, so don’t forget to drop in if you ever visit the Douro region!
The best part is - it has something for every wine enthusiast - from simple table wine bottles to expensive investment-grade ones.
And, the easiest way to invest in them is through Vinovest. So, sign up today, and find the right Quinta do Crasto and other bottles for your wine collection!
