PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s). 2015 Quinta do Vallado Vinha da Granja Red 1 x 0.75L 2018 Quinta do Vallado Vinha da Granja Red 1 x 0.75L 2 Bottles Douro Region DESCRIPTION Quinta do Vallado, established in 1716, is one of the oldest and most famous estates in the Douro Valley. It is located on the banks of the Corgo River, a tributary of the Douro River, right next to its mouth and close to the town of Peso da Régua. It belonged to the legendary Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira and remains to this day in the hands of her descendants. Acquired in 1818 by António Bernardo Ferreira (uncle and father-in-law to Dona Antónia), Quinta do Vallado’s main activity was the production of port wine, which was sold by the family’s port house – Casa Ferreira. This occured until 1987, when Casa Ferreira was sold. During this period, Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, great-grandson of Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, followed by his son Jorge Cabral Ferreira, were at the helm of Quinta do Vallado's management. After the sale of Casa Ferreira, new challenges arose, and in 1993, under the direction of Guilherme Álvares Ribeiro and his wife Maria Antónia Ferreira, the company decided to expand the business into the production, bottling and marketing of own-label wines. The new vineyards were planted using a single variety on each plot, breaking with the old tradition of mixing different varieties in the same plot. Today, Quinta do Vallado has 10 hectares of old vineyards planted between the 1920s and 1950s, including Vinha da Granja, in 1929, and Vinha da Coroa, in 1958. The remaining 55 hectares were planted in the 1990s. In Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Quinta do Vallado acquired Quinta do Orgal where, since 2009, 35 hectares of organically farmed vineyards have been planted. WINEMAKER: Francisco Ferreira & Francisco Olazabal. AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS 95 Points, Wine Enthusiast (2018 Vintage) 94 Points, Robert Parker (2018 Vintage) 18.5 Points, Best of the year 2021, Vinho Grandes Escolhas (2018 Vintage) 93 Points, Falstaff (2015 Vintage) 95 Points, Wine Spectator (2020 Vintage) 17 Points, Jancis Robinson (2020 Vintage) 19 Points, Revista de Vinhos (2017 Vintage) WINE VARIETIES: Vallado Vinha da Granja is produced from a single very old vineyard called "Vinha da Granja". The vineyard was planted in 1929, with southern exposure and has a blend of 32 indigenous varieties (field blend), with a predominance of: Tinta Roriz (19%), Tinta Amarela (19%), Touriga Franca (18%), Touriga Nacional (8%) and Moreto (7%). The soil is mostly schist. There is a plant density of 7,000 vines/Ha, with an average yield of 400 grams per plant, which is equivalent to 2,800 Kg per hectare. This makes Vinha da Granja one of the lowest yielding vineyards per hectare in the world. VINIFICATION The grapes fermented for 10 days in large oak barrels (4 tons) with temperature control and automatic remontage. This wine aged for 18 months in new 225 liter french oak barrels. 2015 TASTING NOTES Dark ruby, purple reflections, discreet bright rim. Initially somewhat restrained, dark berry fruit, delicate fine oak note, mineral touch, rather shy bouquet. Juicy, elegant, some nougat, integrated tannins, mineral on the finish, does not seem ready to drink yet, and should benefit from further bottle ageing. 2018 TASTING NOTES Extremely concentrated. Balsamic notes from it's Oak barrel ageing, balanced with figs, black plums and tobacco. Full bodied, firm and mature with velvety tannins. Mineral notes with a complex, persistant and very elegant finish. SERVING Ideal to accompany cheeses, red meat and game dishes. Store in a horizontal position, in a cool and dry place, protected from light and temperature fluctuations. Serve at a temperature of 16ºC to 18ºC. Consume in moderation.