TN: 2003 Quinta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte Douro red

[Rune EG]

Decanted 7 hrs. Dark red colour with a hint of brown. Bottled unfiltered, which is easily visible. Deep complex aroma of wood, dark red berries, spices and licorice. Full body. A “big wine” full of dense fruit, oak, a lot of power, very little elegance and/or smoothness at this stage, plenty tannins in an acceptable way, a bit dry towards the end. Long aftertaste. Still to early to drink? Score at this stage 91 pts.

[Andy Velebil]

So I shouldn't touch my remaining bottles for a while then?

[Rune EG]

Well Andy, I have two more bottles, and I will let them rest for some years.
As the decanting time was longer than most Douro reds, it seems this red wine needs more time.

Having tasted the 1998 Ponte, which was fabulous, I will wait for the 2003 to come around.

But, by all means, this 2003 that we had yesterday is a very nice Douro red, but at this stage not near what I experienced with the 1998.

[Andy Velebil]

Well Andy, I have two more bottles, and I will let them rest for some years.
As the decanting time was longer than most Douro reds, it seems this red wine needs more time.

Having tasted the 1998 Ponte, which was fabulous, I will wait for the 2003 to come around.

But, by all means, this 2003 that we had yesterday is a very nice Douro red, but at this stage not near what I experienced with the 1998.

In that case I'll leave them be and drink something else I have more bottles of. Thanks!

[Bruno P.]

is amazing wine, i am fan vinha da ponte and maria teresa, is interesting your opnion about this wine, after 10 years, wine need wait more time. it is the same level the wines barca velha.

[Andy Velebil]

is amazing wine, i am fan vinha da ponte and maria teresa, is interesting your opnion about this wine, after 10 years, wine need wait more time. it is the same level the wines barca velha.

Time will tell if Ponte and Maria Teresa wines will last as long as some of the Barca Velha's. But I sure hope they do

[Bruno P.]

yes, i believe

[Mahmoud Ali]

Me too. I had the '04 Vinha da Ponte earlier this year and it was very young, hardly any sign of tertiary development. I should think that the '03 will also be a long-lived wine. Otherwise they're not worth the regular asking price as far more modest Portuguese wines can go for decades.

Mahmoud