Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca

Planted in 2004, with castes of great character and complexity, wine presents the liveliness and freshness of youth and the intense fruit of the Douro. Francisca's vineyard has a very elegant profile and a great aging capacity.

Origin of grapes: In 2004, Francisca's 18th anniversary year, the daughter of Cristiano Van Zeller, a new vineyard was planted, with srsion (50%), Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Francisca and Rufete. With a total of 4.5 hectares, Francisca's vineyard is facing south and southeast, mainly.

Winemaking and aging: All grapes are handcuffed, carefully selected on the carpet of choice and deceived before entering the granite mills. All grapes are stepped on mills and then fermented for 7 to 10 days at temperatures from 22ºC to 27ºC in lagas with manual reassemblies. The wines are cleaned for new french oak barrels of 225L, barrels of different characteristics (Second Moreau, François Frères, Taransaud, Nadalie and Berthomieu), where malo -fermentation is processed. For 18 months in French oak barrels 50% new. The final selection of barrels and the composition of the lot is processed about a month before the traffic jam.

TEST NOTES: Of exceptional freshness, Fifth Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2014 marks for its elegance. With a great depth of color, this wine seduces by the concentration of ripe red fruits aroma, black cherry, plum and raspberry. Elegance and freshness announce a long and creamy ending.

Awards: Wine of the Year (2021; 2020) - Vinhos de Portugal contest | 96 Points - Decanter World Wine Awards | 95 Points - Din Vin Guide | 94 Points/Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast; 18.5/20 points - Large choices |