Quinta das Cerejeiras Reserva (2011)

About this wine

This wine presents a ruby red color and an aroma featuring notes of cherry jam, vanilla, and subtle spice. On the palate, it offers a deep bouquet with well-combined fruit and a persistent finish, evolved yet still lively. The blend of Castelão, Touriga Nacional, and Aragonez grapes contributes to its complexity and depth. Aged for two years in French oak barrels and an additional 2-3 years in the bottle before release, this wine showcases the traditional winemaking practices of the Óbidos region.

About the grape

The 2011 Companhia Agrícola do Sanguinhal Quinta das Cerejeiras Reserva from Óbidos, Portugal, is crafted using three notable Portuguese grape varieties: Castelão, Touriga Nacional, and Aragonez. Castelão, also known as Periquita, is widely planted in Portugal and thrives in warm, sandy soils, producing wines with red fruit flavors and firm tannins. Touriga Nacional, considered Portugal's finest red grape, is renowned for its small, thick-skinned berries that yield deeply colored wines with intense aromas of black fruits and violets, contributing to the wine's structure and aging potential. Aragonez, known as Tinta Roriz in northern Portugal and Tempranillo in Spain, adapts well to various climates and soils, offering elegant wines with red fruit flavors and good aging capacity. In the Óbidos region, these varieties are cultivated to harness their unique characteristics, resulting in a wine that reflects the region's terroir and the distinct qualities of each grape.

Quick facts

• 🍇 Quinta das Cerejeiras Reserva 2011 is a blend of three traditional Portuguese grape varieties: Castelão (40%), Touriga Nacional (30%), and Aragonez (30%).
• 🛢️ This wine undergoes an extensive aging process, spending six months in new French oak barrels, followed by 18 months in used 300-liter French oak barrels, and an additional 2-3 years aging in the bottle before release.
• 🏆 The 2011 vintage received high praise from critics, earning 91 points from both Wine Enthusiast and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
• 🍒 Tasting notes highlight a ruby red color with aromas of cherry jam, vanilla, and subtle spices, leading to a well-balanced palate with a persistent finish.
• 🏡 Produced by Companhia Agrícola do Sanguinhal, a family-owned winery established in the 1920s, this wine reflects a legacy of winemaking in the Óbidos region of Portugal.

Palate profile

Producer

Companhia Agrícola do Sanguinhal, established in 1926 by Abel Pereira da Fonseca, is a family-owned winery in Portugal's Óbidos region. Abel pioneered innovative viticultural practices, such as planting single-variety vineyards and introducing new grape varieties to study their adaptability. The company manages three estates—Quinta do Sanguinhal, Quinta das Cerejeiras, and Quinta de S. Francisco—each contributing to its prestigious wine portfolio. Notably, renowned poet Fernando Pessoa frequented the company's wine shops, inspiring the creation of the CASABEL wine brand in his honor.