Quinta Vale D. Maria Vintage Port 2011

Region and Vineyards

Produced in the Douro Valley, one of Portugal’s most renowned wine regions, Quinta Vale D. Maria Vintage Port benefits from the valley's hot, dry climate and rugged, mountainous terrain. The 2017 growing season was especially hot and dry, with an early budbreak and accelerated vegetative cycle that led to an unprecedented early harvest. August saw high temperatures and little rain, intensifying grape concentration and resulting in highly concentrated musts with notable complexity and quality.

The grapes for this Vintage Port come from a blend of over 25 traditional Douro varieties, predominantly Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca. The vineyards range from 25 to 60 years old and face various directions (south, southeast, east, and west), capturing diverse sun exposures and enhancing the complexity of the fruit.

Winemaking

Quinta Vale D. Maria maintains traditional Douro methods, foot-treading the grapes in granitic lagares (stone tanks) to extract flavors and color, followed by fortification with 15% brandy. The winemakers perform a single-stage fortification, adding the remaining brandy after the grape must has reached the ideal balance, and continuing to tread the wine by foot to ensure proper integration and stop fermentation.

Aged for 21 months, this Port matures in both old wooden casks and stainless steel tanks, with the choice of vessel and timing based on temperature, to preserve the fruit's integrity. This vintage produced 6,500 bottles of 750 ml and 150 Magnums of 1.5 liters, demonstrating the limited and artisanal nature of this Port.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep, intense purple.
• Aroma: Concentrated dark fruits, with mature notes of fig and plum, complemented by hints of bitter chocolate.
• Palate: Dense and well-structured, with intense sweetness balanced by firm, drying tannins. The finish is long, complex, and slightly dry, showing tension with a seductive, refined elegance.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Dark Chocolate Truffles: The bitterness of dark chocolate pairs harmoniously with the Port's richness and enhances its dark fruit notes.
• Petit Gâteau: The warm, gooey center of this dessert complements the wine's dense texture and enhances its fruity depth.
• Cheesecake: The creamy texture and subtle acidity of cheesecake balance the sweetness and tannins of the Port, creating a lush pairing.
• Aged Blue Cheese: The saltiness and complexity of blue cheese contrast the wine's sweetness, creating an elegant and refined match.

History of Quinta Vale D. Maria

The history of Quinta Vale D. Maria dates back to the early 19th century, but its revival began in 1996 when Cristiano van Zeller, one of the Douro’s renowned winemakers, acquired the estate. Cristiano, from a family with centuries of experience in Port, sought to transform the Quinta by focusing on high-quality, terroir-driven wines. His innovative approach to vineyard management, with careful selection of grape varieties and precise viticultural techniques, has elevated Quinta Vale D. Maria into one of the premier Douro producers.

The family’s dedication to traditional winemaking and sustainable practices shines through in every vintage. Today, the estate remains a family endeavor, with Cristiano’s children actively involved, ensuring the Quinta’s legacy and commitment to quality for generations to come.

Region and Vineyards

Quinta Vale D. Maria is located in the heart of the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its dramatic landscapes and centuries-old vineyards. The estate encompasses steep, terraced vineyards along the Rio Torto and Douro River, which benefit from warm days and cool nights ideal for ripening. The valley’s schist soils retain heat, which helps develop concentration and complexity in the grapes.

The vineyards at Quinta Vale D. Maria are a true expression of the Douro’s diversity, with more than 30 indigenous grape varieties cultivated across different altitudes and exposures. Many vines are over 60 years old, producing low yields of concentrated fruit that form the foundation of the estate’s acclaimed wines. The combination of traditional field blends and single-varietal plantings allows Quinta Vale D. Maria to showcase both classic Port profiles and unique, terroir-specific Douro DOC wines.

Wine Range

Quinta Vale D. Maria produces an impressive range of Port and Douro DOC wines:

• Vintage Port: Made only in the best years, Quinta Vale D. Maria’s Vintage Port is dense and structured, with intense fruit and tannins that promise decades of aging potential.
• Single Quinta Vintage Ports: These single-vineyard Ports emphasize the distinct qualities of individual parcels, offering nuanced expressions of the Douro terroir.
• Douro DOC Wines: The estate’s DOC reds and whites are crafted from indigenous varieties, showcasing balanced, mineral-driven profiles with fruit concentration and aging potential.

Did you know?

Cristiano van Zeller is part of the Douro Boys, a group of five visionary producers who have transformed the Douro Valley’s reputation, bringing global recognition to the region’s dry wines and redefining what Douro wine can be.