2020 Estate Tinto, Quinta de la Rosa, Douro, Portugal

Quinta De La Rosa

Quinta de La Rosa is a small estate in the heart of the Port wine-growing region in Alto Douro, near Pinhao, owned and operated by the Bergqvist family: Tim, his wife Patricia, son Philip and his two daughters, Sophia and Olivia, with the aid of the talented winemaker Jorge Moreira since 2002

The Quinta and its vineyards were given to Tim's mother as a Christening present by her parents, the Feurheerds, who established the property in 1906.

It remains one of the few Single Quintas where the vineyards start at the bank of the Douro and rise 450 meters to the towering top of the mountain. From the river's edge to the top, one passes through 11 different microclimates. This gives La Rosa great flexibility to add variety and complexity to its Port.

La Rosa and Tim Berqgvist are special. In many ways they represent what the Douro is all about... pride, courage, tradition, and the determination to produce the finest product from in one of natures' most difficult climactic conditions.

Quinta de la Rosa produces small quantities of superb quality Ports and red wine (Val da Clara Douro label)

Vintage Port

Vintage Port accounts for only a small percentage of the total Port production - which includes Tawny, Ruby, Late Bottled Vintage, Single Quinta Vintage styles, among others - but is the finest, longest-lived and most expensive style that is produced. The best are as good as any wine in existence.

With the exception of legendary vineyards like Quinta do Noval Nacional and Quinta do Vesuvio, Vintage Port is made from a blend of wines from a producer's finest plots. It is aged for around 18 months in wooden casks before bottling; from then on the watch-word is patience. At least 15 years ageing – and for the top wines it will be significantly longer – is required before the tannins, spirit and fruit are fully integrated. Indeed, the finest examples can last well over 50 years. 

Vintage Port is only made in exceptional years (normally around three times per decade) with considerable stylistic variation between different years and shippers. However, they all share a sweet, warming, spicy richness, power and complexity. In other good but not great vintages, many shippers produce a  Single Quinta Vintage Port from their finest vineyard. These are made in the same way and have the same style as Vintage Port but tend to mature faster and are less profound. All Vintage Port throws a sediment as it matures, and thus requires decanting.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional is a highly regarded grape variety indigenous to Portugal, often considered the country's flagship red grape. Known for its intense aromas and flavours, the wines typically feature dark fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, and plums, along with distinctive floral notes like violets and hints of spices, herbs, and chocolate. These generally have high tannin levels, good acidity, and deep, dark colour, contributing to their structure and ageing potential.

Touriga Nacional vines have low yields, often resulting in more concentrated flavours. The grape thrives in the hot, dry conditions of the Douro Valley, a region known for its poor soils and steep, rocky terrains. Its resilience and adaptability to these harsh conditions make it valuable for Portuguese winemakers.

Touriga Nacional is crucial in wine blends, especially in Port wine production. Its robust character and high tannin content make it ideal for creating fortified wines that can age for many years. Additionally, it is increasingly used in dry red table wines, often blended with other Portuguese varieties such as Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and Tinta Barroca to create complex and balanced wines.

Globally, Touriga Nacional is gaining recognition and being planted in other wine regions, including Australia, South Africa, and the United States. Winemakers appreciate its potential for producing high-quality wines with great depth, complexity, and ageing potential.