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The wines of Quinta do Passadouro, Douro, Portugal

UK agent Richards Walford (karen@r-w.co.uk)

Dieter Bohrmann purchased Quinta do Passadouro (above) in 1991, in collaboration with Dirk Niepoort. Their partnership ended a year ago, and now Dirk’s ex-winemaker Jorge Borges is in charge of the winemaking here. Jorge is aiming to get more fruit into the wines, but at the same time achieving more elegance.

It’s a beautifully situated property in the Cima Corgo of the Douro, with 16 hectares of vines varying in age from 4–70 years, and more plantings coming on line. Principal varieties grown include Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Sousão (a dark-fleshed ‘teinturier’ variety), but as with much of the Douro there are lesser quantities of a wide range of grapes mixed together in the older vineyards.

The wines are pretty good. Guide retail prices are given.

Quinta do Passadouro 2002
Quite an assertive savoury red fruits nose with a spicy edge – characteristic of many 2002s in the Douro. Quite refined. The palate is savoury and full with nice fruit quality and a firm, spicy, savoury edge. Good acid with drying tannins on the finish. Very good/excellent 90/100 (£12.99)

Quinta do Passadouro 2003
Spicy, structured nose of sweet red fruits with a savoury, spicy edge. The palate is smoothand balanced with a nice savoury edge to the structured, dusty tannin palate. A well balanced savoury red of real charm and refinement. Very good/excellent 91/100
(£12.99)

Quinta do Passadouro Reserva 2003
From a single 60 year old vineyard in the property. Lovely intense, dark, spicy ripe chocolatey nose is sweet and exotic. The palate is concentrated, rich and supple with great intensity and concentrations. Structure from fine tannins, this is a full wine with a chocolatey finish. Very good/excellent 93/100 (£25)

see also: Douro series

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