At last we have found a small Quinta with tremendous ambitions!

(Review from one of our distributor's newsletter)

A Vintage Porto is a magic wine with much character and appeals to the wine amateurs and connoisseurs alike. It is a wine that should be left in the cellar and opened for a special occasion. We will certainly open this Porto and enjoy it with other Porto lovers.

We have been frustrated not to be able to offer a magical vintage Porto to our customers. We have had a few good portos but they were missing the exceptional qualities we were looking for. Now we have finally found what we were looking for! QUINTA DO TEDO Portos. No good wine cellar should be without a few bottles of this Porto.

Its Location

In the heart of Portugal's Alto Douro surrounded by terraced vineyards that climb high above the dramatic confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers, sits an eighteenth century estate. Vincent Bouchard, proprietor since 1992, comes from a large Burgundian winemaking family. His search to produce a premier Porto in an ideal location started in 1989.

The Classification

The Quinta do Tedo is classified as " Single Quinta Classification" similar to an "estate" appellation. The grapes, which are 100% grown on the Quinta's 14 hectares, are class A, the highest rating for a vineyard, similar to a "Grand Cru". The Tedo River to the west and the Douro River to the north border the estate. On the east and south, the property is lined by the "feitoria", tall granite rocks that were erected in 1756 to mark the best lots. Only the wines from those vineyards could be exported. All the 14 hectares are terraced to prevent erosion in the event of heavy rain, and to optimize the exposure to sunlight.

The varietals that are planted at Quinta do Tedo are touriga national, tinta barroca, tinto cao, bastardo and touriga francesa. Most of the vines are over 50 years old, others have recently been replanted. The maximum allowed harvest in Porto is 55 hectoliters per hectares. At Quinta do Tedo the harvest never exceeds 35 hectoliters. As the grapes do not ripen too early they can be harvested in cooler conditions to preserve their freshness.

The Winemaking

Fruit and freshness are keywords for Vincent in order to produce a premier porto. The fact that all of the harvest is from the estate and does not need to be transported is a major advantage. The emphasis is on keeping the fruit and freshness during the winemaking process. The clusters are put in large tanks (lagares) and stomped by foot until it forms a thick "soup" that then ferments.

Press Reviews

Quinta do Tedo has been praised by enthusiastic and complimentary magazines in Portugal as well as Europe and the United States. The different Quinta do Tedo wines have received great reviews and scores in: Wine Spectator, Decanter, Restaurant Wine's, The Wine News, Revista de Vinhos and l'amateur de Bordeaux.

Ruby, Finest Reserve Quinta do Tedo
This Ruby Port is a house blend of different harvest years that was aged in oak. The Finest Reserve is a special selection of the best barrels. The wine has a deep Ruby color. There are some pleasant notes of spice in the nose that reveal some red fruit aromas. There is good structure in the mouth with a lot of fruit, a delicate and harmonious palate, and a fine and slightly spicy finish. Drink now until 2006.

1994 Late Bottled Vintage Quinta do Tedo
The grapes from this LBV are from only one harvest. It was aged for 3 years in oak barrels. It has a beautiful dark ruby color. The nose is fruity and elegant with a hint of spice. The mouth has a magnificent balance between the sweetness and the freshness with some nuances of dry fruits and a hint of tobacco. A long on full finish. Drink now until 2007.

1997 Vintage Quinta do Tedo
1997 is a classic Vintage year which is most obvious in this wine! This Porto was aged for almost 3 years in oak barrels. It has a dark purple color. There is an elaborate blend of ripe fruits with hints of mint and spice in the nose. There are some soft fruit aromas with traces of chocolate and tobacco that amplify in the mouth. It has a very long finish. This wine will age gracefully in the bottle for years to come. Enjoy now or keep until 2025, serve in a decanter.

1999 Vintage Quinta do Tedo
Even though 1999 does not have the same reputation as the 1997 Vintage, Vincent succeeded in producing a fabulous Porto. The color is dark purple. The bouquet is a complex blend of red and black fruits with hint of vanilla, liquorice and tobacco. There are a few delicate tannins in the mouth with a nice touch of acid. This wine is very concentrated and balanced. Enjoy between 2005 and 2025, serve in a decanter.