Vasques de Carvalho
Vasques de Carvalho: A Testament to Douro Valley's Winemaking Excellence
Situated in the heart of the world's oldest demarcated wine region, Vasques de Carvalho is a cherished name in the Douro Valley. Known for its rich winemaking heritage, the estate prides itself on producing Port wines that eloquently express the distinctive terroir and uniqueness of the region.
Vasques de Carvalho: Unearthing the Beauty of Tradition
The roots of Vasques de Carvalho date back to the 19th century, when the Carvalho family began their winemaking journey. Today, the estate is guided by the philosophy of respecting tradition while implementing the latest oenological techniques to produce Ports of exceptional quality.
Characteristics of Vasques de Carvalho Ports
Vasques de Carvalho offers a delightful portfolio of Ports, encompassing Colheita, Vintage, Tawny, and White Ports. Notably, the Vasques de Carvalho 10 Years Old Tawny and the elegant Very Old White Ports are recognized as the estate's signature expressions.
The Vintage Ports, crafted from traditional Douro grape varieties, boast a notable intensity of dark berry flavors, layered with nuances of spices and cocoa. With age, they gain a captivating complexity, evolving to reveal notes of dried fruits, leather, and tobacco.
In contrast, the 10 Years Old Tawny Ports mesmerize with a medley of dried fruit, nutty, and caramel flavors, all beautifully harmonized by the wine's lively acidity. The Very Old White Ports stand out for their rare sophistication and complexity, providing an array of flavors from dried apricots to honey, almonds, and a subtle oxidative note.
Technical Details
Vasques de Carvalho utilizes native grape varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Cão. These varieties are hand-harvested and subjected to traditional winemaking methods, such as foot treading in lagares, supplemented with modern technologies to ensure optimal extraction and preservation of flavors.
Their Ports are bottled in standard 750ml bottles, with important technical information such as alcohol percentage, Baume degrees, and varietal composition detailed on each label.
Gastronomic Suggestions
The robust and intricate Vasques de Carvalho Vintage Ports make a fantastic pairing with rich dishes like a braised beef cheek, while they can also complement desserts such as a dense chocolate mousse or a creamy blue cheese like Roquefort. The Tawny Ports, with their nutty and caramel undertones, pair beautifully with a traditional Portuguese almond tart or aged hard cheeses. The Very Old White Ports are exquisite with Foie Gras or as a standalone aperitif.
Vineyard Practices
At the heart of Vasques de Carvalho is a deep respect for the Douro Valley and its winemaking heritage. The estate's winemaker, Joana Pinhão, leads the viticultural practices, employing a blend of traditional methods and sustainable techniques.
Embodying the profound expression of the Douro Valley's terroir, Vasques de Carvalho stands as a remarkable exemplar of Portuguese winemaking, with each bottle encapsulating a piece of the region's rich history and tradition.
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Jaime Costa
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Vintage Port:
2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2019 / 2020
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Aging and Complexity: Vasques de Carvalho has a notable collection of old Ports, some of which have been aging for over a century. This extended maturation period imparts an extraordinary complexity and depth of flavor to their wines. The old Ports are typically rich, featuring a broad palette of flavors such as dried fruit, nut, honey, and spice.
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Only the white 2014 was bottled so far as a Single Harvest Colheita
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Quinta Seara d'Ordens
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Seara d’ordens
