Van Zellers & Co Cv Vale D Maria Tinto 2015

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Van Zellers & Co
Label Name:
 
Cv Vale D Maria Tinto
Vintage:
 
2015
Country:
 
Portugal
Region:
 
Douro (Cima Corgo, Torto valley).
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
15%
Grape(s):
 
Field blend (~41 indigenous Douro varieties; e.g. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Rufete, Sousão, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Francisca, Donzelinho, etc.).
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
4
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Highly rated by critics — Wine Advocate (Mark Squires) cited CV 2015 among top Portuguese wines of 2015 and awarded c. 95 (95-97 pre-release); retail sources cite Wine Advocate 95+ for the 2015 CV; other professional scores reported in the mid-90s

Tasting Note
Dense dark berry and plum fruit with black-cherry, cassis, cedar and baking spice; concentrated, velvety mid-palate, firm ripe tannins and a long spicy finish

Food Pairing
Western: roasted lamb, grilled beef, game, stews, oven-baked vegetables, aged cheeses. Asian: Korean BBQ, Peking duck, char siu, braised pork belly, mushroom hotpot, spicy Sichuan beef.

Production Method
Field-blend from old vines; frequent lagar foot-treading/fermentation and stainless-steel work; aged ~21 months in French oak (c.60–65% new).

Vineyard Info
Quinta Vale D. Maria (c.10 ha old vines) acquired and restored by Cristiano van Zeller in 1996; Van Zellers & Co. is a historic Douro family producer/trader.