At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Region
- Douro, Portugal
- Appellation
- DOC Douro, with Porto fortified wines
- Main grapes
- Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional
- Named wines
- Portal Dry White Porto, Quinta dos Muros Vintage Port 2018, Mural Quinta do Portal 2023
- Defining feature
- Three vineyards acquired with a cellar and wine ageing warehouse designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira
The Producer
A cellar and wine ageing warehouse designed by Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira came with Quinta do Portal when The Fladgate Partnership acquired the property in March 2024. The acquisition included the Portal, Confradeiro and Abelheira vineyards, totalling 53 hectares, along with wine stocks, Casa das Pipas boutique hotel and a restaurant.
Pascal Chatonnet had provided technical support to Quinta do Portal since 1992. At the time of the acquisition, he also oversaw winemaking for Fladgate Still & Sparkling Wines.
Place
Quinta do Portal lies in the heart of the Douro and specializes in DOC Douro wines. The Pinhão river valley in Cima Corgo contains Fladgate's largest concentration of vineyards.
The property's altitude and relief allow mechanization for table wine production. The Douro setting therefore supports both fortified wines and still wines within the range.
Wines
The range spans white fortified wine, Vintage Port and still red wine. Portal Dry White Porto is the white fortified bottle, while Quinta dos Muros Vintage Port 2018 is the vintage Port. Mural Quinta do Portal 2023 is the red wine, made from 45% Tinta Roriz, 40% Touriga Francesa and 15% Touriga Nacional.
In The Glass
Mural Quinta do Portal 2023 brings lively fruit and subtle spice. Its hand harvested grapes undergo fermentation at low temperatures, a method used to preserve their lively character. In the glass, the wine stays centered on fruit and spice.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose Mural Quinta do Portal 2023. It is the still red in the range, made from Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa and Touriga Nacional. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented at low temperatures, while 25% of the wine ages for nine months in older French oak barrels. The bottle pairs a three grape blend with partial barrel ageing, while the other named wines are fortified.
Final Word
Paulo Coutinho began at Quinta do Portal after a one year placement with a sparkling wine producer in the Douro. He has been the estate's winemaker since August 1994.