Quinta da Devesa carries a secular history. In 1844, the well-known Baron Forrester, included this property in what was the first map of the Douro Demarcated Region. But the most important history of this property began last century, in 1941, when the Fortunato family acquired the Quinta, thus beginning a new phase of greater investment in wine production, with a special focus on Port Wines. Later there are also references to DOC Douro wines, which has strengthened its presence in the national and international wine market. Quinta da Devesa remains today an independent family company, oriented to the future, with presence in several international markets. The investment made in recent years has brought greater recognition by wine lovers and specialized critics. The result of all this is also visible through the huge palate of national and international awards achieved to date.
Winemaking
The Port Wines from Quinta da Devesa are produced exclusively from batches vinified and aged on the property. Since 1941 the vintages considered of superior quality by the family winemakers, were stored and aged in wooden casks. These extraordinary wines are now used to produce the Quinta da Devesa Port Wines. Located in the sub-region Baixo Corgo, 10 kms from Peso da Régua, is situated on a promontory that dominates the inflow of the Rivers Douro and Corgo and where you can enjoy a majestic panorama that covers the valleys of those rivers and mountains in the region. Its 34 hectares, planted with the grape varieties recommended for the region, extend from an elevation of 60m to 500m, partly facing south, receiving an excellent exposure to the sun, and partly facing north, from where it receives the coolest prevailing winds. This diversity of sun and wind exposure causes varying levels of maturation and development that allow for the timing of harvests under optimal conditions.Since 1941, the vintages considered of superior quality by the family’s oenologists have been stored and aged in wooden casks. These extraordinary wines are now used to produce the Quinta da Devesa Port Wines.This Port resulted from lots of wines stored at Quinta da Devesa, made with the noble varieties used in the demarcated Douro region and aged in wooden casks in the warehouses of the Quinta.
Tasting notes
Clean, blondish colour. Sweet notes of marzipan mixed with toasted and peeled almonds and a touch of brandy. Soft, velvety and round, with creamy caramel and Frangelico flavours. Creamy at first, it shows its strength and structure, evolving very well and finishing long and firm.Robert Parker Wine Advocate (2018): “The 10-Year Old Porto has a mahogany core with a degraded tawny rim. The bouquet is clean and nicely focused, perhaps just missing a little intensity, with scents of burnt honey, molasses, dried fig and strong nutty aromas. The palate is smooth and harmonious, mellow in the mouth, gently building toward a caressing walnut, black pepper, bitter orange and marmalade finish, yet with a pleasant elderflower note poking its head above the surface on the aftertaste. I found this best served just a below room temperature.”