By Quinta da Foz
Reserve Red 2015

Details
Designation of Origin: DOC Douro
Winemakers: Filipe Ferreira and Pedro Branco
Varieties: 60% Touriga Nacional, 25% Tinta Roriz, and 15% Touriga Franca from very old vineyards (over 60 years old)
Alcohol: 14.00%
Total Acidity: 5.6 g/L tartaric acid
Sugar: 0.6 g/l
pH: 3.57

The Wine
Quinta da Foz Reserve is a classic and intense Douro red wine with a distinctive character that reflects the richness and quality of the region. The brand has a rich tradition for producing quality Douro and Port wines and is well-known around the world.

Tasting Notes
Cherry red color. Complex and intense aromas dominated by red fruits as well as black plum and light floral tones. Dark chocolate notes and spice from aging in French oak barrels. In the mouth, it is a full-bodied wine, which brings aromas of fresh fruit. Seamless, velvety, and well-integrated tannins give the wine elegance and a pleasant and persistent finish.

Harvest Year
2015 was a particularly warm and dry year that saw an increase of around 5 degrees C, in terms of the maximum, average, and minimum temperatures recorded. Levels of rainfall in the region were 50% lower than usual. The maturation phase was also affected by reduced levels of available water. The start of the harvest was one of the earliest on record; on the 7th and 22nd of August for whites and reds, respectively.

Winemaking
Vinified at the winery of Quinta da Foz, in Cima Corgo, Pinhao, using classic vinification methods in granite lagares, crushing the berries by feet. The alcoholic fermentation occurs in these granite lagares, and during this phase, soft maceration at controlled temperatures takes place to extract the compounds that provide color, aroma, and flavor to this wine.

Maturation
The wine matured in new French oak barrels for roughly 18 months. This wine filtered only before bottling to preserve the highest possible quality.

Storage
Ready for immediate consumption but will benefit from 3-5 years of ageing in the bottle and will remain at its best for 5-10 years. Store the bottle in a horizontal position away from light and heat.

Service
A natural deposit will form in the bottle. After its 2nd year in the bottle, it is recommended that this wine be stored vertically the day before opening and decanted before consumption. Serve at 16-18 degrees C.

Pairings
This wine pairs wonderfully with meat dishes, such as traditional Portuguese "cozido" and grilled red meats. It is also an ideal accompaniment to white meats or oven-roasted fish.
[Information provided by DHI Selections]

Quinta da Foz 2015 Reserva Red (Douro)
Points: 94 - Cellar Selection
Designation: Reserva
Variety: Portuguese Red
Appellation: Douro, Portugal
Winery: Quinta da Foz
Alcohol: 14.00%
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Red
Importer: MHW, Ltd
Date Published: 11/1/2019
Reviewed By: Roger Voss
Produced from old vines on this spectacular estate close to the village of Pinhao, the wine is seriously rich, dense and still developing. Its big black fruits are freshened with acidity as well as some firm tannins and wood-aging flavors. Keep this wine for several more years and drink from 2021.