Ramos Pinto Quinta de Ervamoira Vintage
Douro, Portugal
Vintage:2017 (Past)
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Reviews
Wine Spectator 93 Points
“Dark and winey, this is a bit backward and will need time to unwind the dark currant, fig and plum cake flavors, coated by a broad swath of bittersweet cocoa and tar. A slightly burly baker's chocolate note at the very end adds to the grippy feel. Best from 2032 through 2042.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
“This floral wine has generous black fruits combined with tannins and acidity. It maybe misses the power of some wines in this vintage, giving instead a fruity, blackberry-flavored take on the year. Drink from 2026.”
The Wine Advocate 94 Points
“The 2017 Vintage Port Quinta da Ervamoira (in Douro Superior) is another Port from Ramos Pinto in this vintage that is Touriga Nacional-dominated—60% of the blend. The rest is Touriga Franca (15%), Sousão (10%), Tinta Barroca (10%) and Tinto Cão (5%). It comes in with 98 grams of sugar. This is another of those Single Quinta Ports that is not really intended as a downgrade over the regular Vintage Port. Rather, it is just a different expression of terroir—and it is actually pricier than the regular Vintage Port that Ramos Pinto also made in 2017. A defining feature of this elegant Port is always going to be the powerful aromatics, mint, eucalyptus, cistus and so on. It is all about the personality. There isn't a lot of fleshiness. It is not as rich as the regular Vintage Port, but it may have more precision, intensity and focus, as well as more personality. It showed a little more grip on the finish after a couple of days open. In the mid-palate, there is considerable finesse and no jamminess. Then, there's the big finish with some notable grip from tannins. All the while, it is fresh and lifted. A couple of days later, it was drinking pretty well. If it is not quite as rich as the regular Vintage Port, it often seems a brighter and livelier one, as well as a delicious one. This should be approachable fairly young and then hold well for a few decades or more without a problem.”
Wine & Spirits 94 Points
“Ramos Pinto takes an elegant approach to Vintage Port, investing the wine with energy rather than sheer power. This 2017 is rich in tannins, rounded and chocolatey, yielding high-toned notes of ginger and pear skin over racy, floral plum flavors. It has a dynamic presence, tight, juicy and clean, suited to aging for two decades or more.”
JancisRobinson.com 17.5/20 Points
“Less open on the nose than the Ramos Pinto 2017. More subtle and refined, more withheld and pure, darker fruited. Even though it is more restrained, it has greater intensity and concentration on the palate, with real finesse in the tannin texture and a little more obvious freshness for sophisticated harmony.”
Overview
Ramos Pinto was founded in 1880 and, for several decades, its history has been marked by a balance between innovation and respect for tradition. In addition to producing wines of exceptional quality, the House is known for its knowledge of terroir and for its pioneering viticulture. Through its strict production policy, the selection of the best Douro grape varieties and the systematic technical and technological research, the House is positioned as the reference for the production of superior quality wines in Portugal.
Ramos Pinto has four estates in the Douro Valley: Quinta do Bom Retiro and Quinta da Urtiga, located in Cima Corgo, as well as Quinta dos Bons Ares and Quinta de Ervamoira, in the Douro Superior. These four Quintas cover an area of 890 acres. The grapes of Quinta de Ervamoira give structure, intensity of fruit and body to the vintage ports. However, it is in Quinta do Born Retiro and Quinta da Urtiga that these wines acquire complexity and elegance.
Committed to improving its bond with nature and the environment, Ramos Pinto is working towards this achievement by implementing organic farming and increasing biodiversity in the vineyard. This is a legacy which the House is proud to leave to future generations.
Quinta de Ervamoira, located in the Douro Superior on the left bank of the River Douro and in the heart of the Côa Archaeological Park, is Ramos Pinto's most historical and well-preserved vineyard site. Once home to a third-century A.D. civilization, the land at Quinta de Ervamoira has been cultivated over time, and remains rich and prosperous. Today, 240 acres of vines are planted vertically, a departure from the traditional horizontally terraced rows, which allows for less fruit per plant but more concentrated fruit flavors.
Winemaking
Crushed by foot in the lagar, with fermentation lasting between four to five days, and producing an excellent extract.
Tasting Notes
Very deep red color with violet highlights. Lively and intense aromas of raspberry, strawberry and forest fruit. Hints of rock-rose, black pepper and cocoa. Full-bodied with a gripping tannin structure which is alive, dense and has fresh fruit flavors searing through. A very long and enjoyable finish. The Quinta de Ervamoira Vintage 2017 is an intense, lively and aromatic wine.
Harvest Notes
In the Douro region, the 2016-2017 season was dry and from May onward there was no relevant precipitation. The budburst happened almost a week earlier than the average and the whole cycle was very precocious. In 2017, the harvest in the two sub-regions where the Ramos Pinto Quintas are located started almost simultaneously and much earlier than average. Usually this happens with a significant time difference. The grapes were harvested in perfect sanitary conditions and yields were very low. The profile of the 2017 crop is ripe, rich and perfumed.
Food Pairing
After dinner, it goes well with the cheeses from the serra and other full cream cheeses. Serve between 18º and 22º C. Store the bottle on its side in a cool, dry and dark place.
Technical Information
Varietals: 60% Touriga Nacional, 15% Touriga Franca, 10% Sousão, 10%Tinta Barroca, 5%Tinto Cão
Wine Alcohol: 19.5%
Titratable Acidity: 4.6 g/L
pH: 3.7
Residual Sugar: 98 g/l