Port/Wine of the month January 2016: Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas Reserva (2008)

This is much rather a homage to a wine and a certain wine style. Ramos Pinto was one of the pioneers to produce (unfortified) red wine in the Douro, the so called Douro DOC-Wines. The first Duas Quintas (Two vineyards) was poduced 1990 with some respectable 80.000 bottles. Logically a Reserva followed some years later. The Duas Quintas Reserva Especial the top red from Ramos Pinto but also unique in style. Not one to like when it is young, it has a tremendous ageing potential and some necessary roughness in his childhood. Unfortunately 2008 is the last year of production since the modern wine drinker wants a wine not with the necessity to store. Produced in 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 20003, 2004, 2007 and 2008 the last wine was produced exclusively for a Spanish Club.

Deep dark red colour with violett reflexes. Complex and balanced in the nose with cherries and raspberries, chocolate and freshness. The palate reveals a strong tannic structure with a superb supporting acidity, chocolate and soft fruity notes. Medium long in the aftertaste. This wine requires another decade cellaring. 17+