2016 Quinta do Crasto Superior
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Tasting notes
Fifteen-year-old vines, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Sousão from the Crasto property Quinta da Cabreira in the Douro Superior subregion. Destemmed and slightly crushed. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks and aged in French oak barrels for about 12 months. Deep cherry red. Has some of the oak sweetness of their Superior Syrah 2017 but it's more subtle, or better absorbed by the fruit, which is dark and spicy blackberry. Juicy on the palate but also a sort of woody flavour on the back palate. The tannins are surprisingly silky already. For me this is a much better balanced (and priced) wine than the Superior Syrah. (JH)
Critic scores
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Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Tinto Crasto Superior is a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional, 20% Tinta Roriz, 25% Touriga Franca and just 5% Sousão, aged for 12 months in 35% new French oak. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol, a bit less than the 2015. When first seen, this was still unbottled and a little disjointed. It is now much improved. Fresh and sophisticated, this has come together well, showing some depth, better structure and very appealing mid-palate finesse. This should continue aging beautifully. This tightly wound Tinto has all the components to improve over the next few years and then hold well.