In addition to being one of the most eclectic wine regions, the Douro Valley is one of the most scenic in the world. It is amazing. There is the Douro River and its tributaries that have carved these valleys into granite and schist. This is a region that speaks to time in a way that mountains speak to time. Douro reds are mountain wines. The river mediates the temperatures, but these are solid aromatic wines. With vibrant fruit tones, wild herbs and flowers, and, of course, minerality.
70 years ago, there was only one dry red wine being made in the region. Now more and more producers are making better and better dry red wines.
Ravasqueira extends over approximately 3000 hectares, of which 700 are cork oak forests, 1600 are mixed cork oak and holm oak forests, 80 are irrigated land, 120 are pine forests for pinecone production, 45 hectares are vineyards and 400 are agricultural areas, rainfed with arable crops and olive groves.
The aromatics are a wonderful mix of dark & red fruits, herbs, & flowers. Structured & driving, the power of this reminds me of a top-flight Paso Robles Rhone blend. Blueberries, blue plums, coffee & dill on the nose, with plenty of dried spices, too. Chewy & flavorful, with a full body and ripe, fleshy tannins. Nicely textured & purely fruited. 40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 20 % Tinta Roriz, 10% Sousão
