In the glass
Aroma: ripe red fruit, wild vegetation, gum cistus, fine spice
Palate: velvety tannin, structured, balanced
A benchmark old-vine field-blend Douro red, ripe yet structured, balancing dark fruit and savoury spice with the estate's signature freshness and ageability.
What it pairs with
-
Roast lamb
Find roast lamb on TableJourney →
Structure and herbs with lamb. -
Grilled beef
Find grilled beef on TableJourney →
Fine tannins carry red meat. -
Aged cheese
Structure for cheese.
How to serve Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast lamb, Grilled beef, Aged cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The Reserva Old Vines, from mixed vineyards over 70 years old, helped establish the modern Douro red category.
- 1994 — First Reserva Old Vines vintage
Facts
- Producer
- Quinta do Crasto
- Grapes
- Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
- Classification
- DOC Douro
- Oak
- Aged around 14 to 16 months in French oak, part new
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 28 to 42 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1994
Scores
- Wine Advocate 94 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2020)
Frequently asked about Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines
What does Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines taste like?
On the nose, ripe red fruit, wild vegetation, gum cistus, fine spice. On the palate, velvety tannin, structured, balanced. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A benchmark old-vine field-blend Douro red, ripe yet structured, balancing dark fruit and savoury spice with the estate's signature freshness and ageability.
When should I drink Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines?
Drink 5 to 18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines?
Roast lamb is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled beef and Aged cheese. Structure and herbs with lamb.
Is Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines?
The blend is Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca. The wine is classified as DOC Douro.