• Viticultural year:  The 2020 viticultural year was characterised by an early budburst, which occurred three weeks earlier than usual. Flowering also took place two weeks earlier than normal due to slightly, but consistently higher temperatures throughout February. This weather pattern continued throughout almost the entire viticultural year, with July registering record temperatures. Yields were compromised, but the berries showed extraordinary concentration. This vintage produced excellent wines that are full-bodied, with focused fruit and depth.


• Grape varieties:  Old vine with predominance of Viosinho, Rabigato and Malvasia Fina.


• Appellation:  DOURO D.O.C.
• Age of the Vines:  +90 Years
• Type:  Still white wine
• Style:  Oaked, full-bodied, aromatic and dry
• Soil Type:  Schist
• Alcohol:  13% Vol.


• Ageing:  12 months in 400-litre lightly toasted new French oak barrels to preserve the varietal and mineral character of the wine.


• Bottling:  July 2021
  0.75L › 2 666 bottles


• The Wine:  Quinta dos Frades Grande Reserva seeks to show the outstanding quality that white grapes from old vines can deliver. In order to further enhance the wine’s aroma complexity and structure, the wine is aged in 400-litre lightly toasted new oak barrels, aiming for a Burgundian style. The result is a white wine that offers very expressive fruit as well as vanilla/toasty hints from the oak. The objective is to produce a reference white wine in the Douro Valley.


• Grape growing and winemaking:  The grapes are chosen from the best vineyard plots (variety, soil, drainage, aspect, altitude). Harvesting is done by hand, using 25 kg boxes, during the morning hours, when temperatures are lower than 18°C. On arrival at the winery, the grapes are destemmed and gently pressed using a pneumatic press. The juice is transferred to stainless steel tanks for sedimentation at 12°C. The fermentation takes place in new French oak barrels.


• Tasting notes:  Appearance: Medium deep yellow lemon;
  Nose: Pronounced aromas of grapefruit and mint, with light vanilla and toasty notes from new oak;
  Palate: Full-bodied, with vibrant acidity. Citrus and light tropical fruit hints are all intertwined with very fine and elegant aromas of high-quality oak. Long, dry and mineral finish.


• Serving suggestions:  Serve at 8°C. This wine is best served in generous-sized glasses (such as red wine glasses). It accompanies a variety of intensely and medium intensely flavoured dishes, such as lobster rice and oven-baked sea bream.


• Analysis:  pH: 3.25; Total acidity: 6.5 g/L


• Allergen information:  Contains sulphites


• Winemaker:  Anselmo Mendes