Latest news with #Douro
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Two great table wines from a family with port pedigree
The Symington family is one of the most successful English/Portuguese producers of port, with a portfolio that includes Graham's, Warre's, Dow's, Cockburn's and Quinta do Vesuvio. They also produce table wines made from the same vineyards in the Douro valley, but much lower in alcohol. As well as these two, O'Briens has the excellent Altano Rewilding Red 2.5-litre Bag in Box for €36.95 and the equally good Altano Organic Red for €18.95 a bottle. [ Is wine from the United States good? ] Altano Branco 2022, Symington, Douro Altano Branco 2022, Symington, Douro 13.5% €15.95 down to €12.50 from O'Briens Medium-bodied with attractive peach fruits and good fresh acidity. Enjoy with grilled sardines, mackerel and other oily fish. Altano Tinto 2022, Symington, Douro Altano Tinto 2022, Symington, Douro 13.5% €15.95 down to €12.50 from O'Briens Smooth, rich dark fruits with a spicy note. Plenty of flavour and a pleasure to drink. Try it with a barbecued burger or roast red meats.
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Autumn review – amazing landscape plays central role in Portuguese wine-family drama
This wistful Portuguese film is a pointillist portrait of a nuclear family over the course of an eventful year; it has plenty of earthy flavour, perhaps like the wine the paterfamilias of the story, Otávio (Miguel Frazão), produces on his small plot in hills above the Douro river. In oenological terms, you can really taste the terroir – the land on which it's made – with notes of nostalgia and melancholy and a tangy, slightly humorous spice. But there's also maybe a touch too much sweetness in the blend, given writer and director Antonio Sequeira's script occasionally slips into a tannic, sentimental theatricality. If it weren't for the fact that the stunning landscape plays such an integral part in the film's atmosphere you'd assume that this must have started as a stage play given the tidy scene breaks, dividing the story into four consecutive seasons. In the first act, Otávio and his wife, Susana, (Elsa Valentim) are busy preparing to say goodbye to their eldest child Tomas (Salvador Gil), who is about to go off to university in London. As Tomas packs and Susana fusses trying to find the mislaid bongos he wants to bring with him, Otávio comforts himself by treading his grape harvest with his own feet – an old-school method that could be done in seconds, as Tomas says, if he hired in some equipment. Younger sister Belinha (Beatriz Frazao, who does the most convincing job of ageing over the course of the movie), worries about surviving the coming year with her annoying parents without Tomas around to take some of the heat. The act ends, like each of the subsequent segments, with the family seeing Tomas off on the train. By the spring, he's back home with a new girlfriend (Krupa Narci Givane) whose Portuguese is not good enough to understand Otávio's racist jokes, much to the younger characters' relief. So this study in mild generational conflict goes on, in which no one is really a bad guy, not even Otávio for all his maladroit joshing. The dialogue is pretty conventional, although perhaps more expressive or interesting for native Portuguese speakers, while for the most part Sequeira doesn't try anything too tricksy. That said, there's one striking flashback to when Otávio and Susana were young (played by Ricardo de Sa and Sara Barradas), and we see them age up to the present over a series of deft edits in which every time Susana is carrying Tomas: first a baby, then as he grows older until poor Valentim is carrying the fully adult Gil piggyback, as an apt symbol of a mother's self-imposed martyrdom. A few more expressive touches like this might not have gone amiss, but as it stands Autumn is a sturdy if not especially distinguished work. Autumn is on digital platforms in the UK from 2 June and in the US from 3 June.
Times
26-05-2025
- Times
10 of the best places to visit in Portugal
Who wants a holiday destination that plays hard to get? In Portugal you'll find a warm welcome alongside attributes that make travel smooth and simple; it's manageably sized, convenient to reach from the UK, and easy to get around. The country has so much diversity within its borders that you can just as easily enjoy a rural walking trip or a vibrant city break as a relaxing beach stay or gourmet wine tour. In the 20 years I've been visiting Portugal I've done all these and more: hiking with friends in the rural Minho and the Douro, exploring Lisbon and Porto with my husband, relaxing with family on the beaches of the Algarve, and discovering Madeira and the Azores on my own — and I've always been struck by how such hassle-free travel brings such rich rewards. Because Portugal is also a beauty; from its historic cities and whitewashed fishing villages to its cliff-backed beaches, vine-draped valleys, rolling fields and remote mountains, not to mention its verdant, volcanic islands, flung out like emeralds into the Atlantic. Your euros will go further here than in many other neighbouring nations, and though there are luxury stays to satisfy even the most sophisticated traveller, you really can travel, eat and drink very well here without spending big bucks. For the best value — and the most authentic experiences — avoid the better-known resorts such as Albufeira and Vilamoura and seek out the less-visited corners; you don't have to stray far off the beaten track to find them. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue One week Porto and the Douro, Comporta or Madeira Two weeks Lisbon and the Alentejo or the Azores Three weeks Porto, the Douro and the Minho or Lisbon, the Alentejo and the Algarve A tight budget The Minho or the southwest coast When the sun shines — as it does for about 300 days of the year in the Portuguese capital — Lisbon simply glows, the white limestone of the cobbled calçadas (pavements) reflecting the rays. Whether you're here to graze on petiscos (small plates, traditionally served alongside drinks, such as codfish cakes, clams or charcuterie) in the pint-sized bars of the historic Bairro Alto neighbourhood, or to soak up culture — don't miss the eclectic Calouste Gulbenkian Museum or the atmospheric Castelo de Sao Jorge — you'll definitely want to take in the views from the many hilltop miradouro viewpoints. They needn't be an uphill struggle; take a tram, ride a funicular or even the 19th-century, cast-iron Santa Justa lift. Head to maritime suburb Belem to discover Portugal's history of exploration — and to buy pasteis de nata tarts at the celebrated bakery Pasteis de Belem. Stay at Memmo Alfama, a converted shoe-polish factory that's now a stylish boutique with a rooftop pool in the city's most picturesque neighbourhood. Read our full review of Memmo Alfama This five-day, fully guided Lisbon city break takes in the city's historic areas, museums and monuments, and adds a scenic train ride to the coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril. • Best affordable hotels in Lisbon• Discover our full guide to Lisbon Portugal's most celebrated wines, and all its ports, start their lives in this sun-baked valley stretching from Porto to the Spanish border. Vine-laced hillsides drop sharply into the tranquil waters of the Douro River, and the banks are scattered with historic, whitewashed wineries, called quintas. The Douro is a meandering river, so let it inspire you to embrace slow travel too, watching the world float by from a boat. Enjoy wine tours and tastings, wander the streets of pretty Pinhao, ascend the zig-zagging stairs of pilgrimage site Nossa Senhora dos Remedios in Lamego, and discover palaeolithic rock art in the Coa Valley. Take a cruise; if you prefer independent travel, a train line runs right from Porto to the top of the valley at Pocinho. Hide away at the eastern end of the valley at wine hotel Casa do Rio, where stylish suites set in an orange grove have views over a tranquil stretch of the river. River cruise ships sail the Douro from March to October, providing leisurely progress along the length of the river. This eight-day Avalon Waterways cruise includes dining, drinks and excursions. • Most beautiful places in Portugal (and how to see them) Unspoilt but no longer unknown, this gorgeous, 20-mile stretch of sand-fringed shore about 90 minutes' drive south of Lisbon has blossomed into Portugal's most seductive spot for laid-back beach holidays. Part of the Sado Estuary nature reserve, the sprawling landscape of Comporta is made up of dunes, pine forests, rice paddies, salt marshes and seven picture-perfect hamlets that provide boutique shopping and low-key restaurants. Stays are secluded, sustainable and stylish. Days here will be long and lazy, but hire a car; you'll need it to migrate from hotel hammock to your chosen stretch of sand and back again. Sublime Comporta is a minimalist haven with nature at its heart: pine-scented grounds, organic gardens and an offshoot beach club on the coast nearby at Carvalhal. Explore the Sado River and estuary on this three-hour boat trip, which also visits Roman ruins at Troia. • Read our full guide to Portugal Some of Portugal's most dramatic scenery is found not on the mainland, but on the island of Madeira. After exploring the charming, historic centre of the capital Funchal, leave the urban sprawl around it behind; natural landscapes are what make this place so special. Flirt with vertigo on the glazed skywalk at Cabo Girao, one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, rising vertically from Atlantic breakers. Hike the levada trails — pathways following old irrigation channels — that wind around steep, emerald peaks ridged like a dragon's backbone. Plunge into natural pools formed from striking black lava, or swim off from the dark sand beaches. A year-round balmy climate makes it popular off-season. A hiking trail runs from the gate of Casas da Levada, an agritourism hotel in the west of the island with farmhouse accommodation and a biological pool. This eight-day itinerary with Riviera Travel packs in plenty of highlights, including a walking tour of Funchal, the hilltop town of Monte and the fishing village of Camara de Lobos. • More great hotels in Madeira• Best things to do in Madeira Life moves slowly in Portugal's warm heartland. Only 5 per cent of the population live in this region, which sprawls across nearly a third of the country, a place of rolling golden plains peppered with twisting cork trees, sun-baked vineyards, medieval cities and fortified towns scattered along the Spanish border. Historic Evora has Roman ruins and a gothic cathedral — don't miss the macabre chapel decorated with bones — and the walled village of Monsaraz gives gorgeous views over the vast Alqueva Lake into Spain. The area specialises in relaxed resort hotels, often set in vineyards or on farms with excellent spas, from which you can emerge for occasional sightseeing. Luxurious Sao Lourenco do Barrocal is the quintessential Alentejo rural estate, with vineyards, olive groves, stables and a spa. This comprehensive 11-day tour of Portugal with Insight Vacations visits Evora and perfectly proportioned second city looks great from any angle, whether you're getting the long view from the top of the Clerigos Tower, the tallest campanile in the country, or you're tempted into the dense maze of the historic Ribeira quarter looking for close-ups of photogenic tiles. You'll find beautiful examples of the traditional blue azulejos inside the heritage ticket hall of Sao Bento station, and adorning the exterior of the Capela das Almas. Cross the iconic Dom Luis cast-iron bridge; southside neighbour Vila Nova de Gaia is home to venerable port wine cellars, where you can tour and taste, then wind your way back to the waterside, spotting street art at every turn. If you visit Porto in summer, take tram line 1 out to the beach suburb Foz do Douro for spectacular sunsets and seafood. Stay right on the riverbank in Ribeira at 1872 River House by Olivia, a boutique spot with a stellar location and sophisticated looks. This week-long tour with G Adventures teams time in Porto with Lisbon and a stop-off at Coimbra, the historic university city set in between them. • More great hotels in Porto• Best things to do in Porto Travel east from Faro and you'll soon leave the stereotypical Algarve of manicured golf courses behind, swapping them for bird-rich wetlands and sandy barrier islands around which resident dolphins frolic. Take a boat trip to see them, then linger over a long seafood lunch in Fuseta or Olhao — laid-back, local fishing towns. Picturesque, whitewashed Tavira straddles the Gilao River, its streets filled with flowers from almond blossom in spring to late-summer hibiscus — climb the castle tower for views over the salt pans to the sea. Relax on one of the barrier island beaches, or stroll along the well-marked trails and boardwalks of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Castro Marim nature reserve. Stay in chic but carefree Conversas de Alpendre, a family-run boutique hotel in a rural hamlet close to Cacela Velha beach. Read our full review of Conversas de Alpendre This gentle hiking trip with Explore! is based in Tavira, with walks in nature reserves, on barrier islands, and through the rural interior. • Best all-inclusive hotels in the Algarve• Best affordable hotels in the Algarve North from Porto to the Spanish border is the Costa Verde, where the breezy beaches are backed by pine forests. Green is a theme that spreads inland across the whole region, through the wooded river valleys and gentle, bucolic farmland where Portugal's lightly sparkling vinho verde is made, to the rugged hills of the Peneda-Gerês, the country's only national park. You won't need to compete with crowds here, whether you've come for the wine and walking or an active beach break. Even the cities are chilled, despite their considerable cultural heft; Braga is a religious centre with Roman remains and a plethora of baroque churches, and Guimaraes, Portugal's first capital, has a well-preserved medieval old town and a textbook fairytale castle. On the beach close to the small seaside city of Viana do Castelo, FeelViana is an eco-hotel with great facilities for water sports and mountain biking. This eight-day tour from Newmarket Holidays includes guided excursions along the Costa Verde and into the Minho region, as well as to island-hopping trip to this volcanic, nine-island archipelago in the Atlantic feels like geological time travel. Sao Miguel, 4.1 million years old and in the west of the chain, is home to lake-filled, emerald calderas, steaming fumaroles and fertile soil where everything from tea to pineapples grow. Less than 300,000-year-old Pico is the baby of the bunch, dominated by the vast cone of a dormant stratovolcano and with fields of black lava where vines — which produce the island's high-quality wines — thrive. Don't miss middle-aged Terceira, in the central island group, where you can walk right into the magma chamber of an extinct volcano. On Sao Miguel, stay on the waterfront at the elegant Octant Ponta Delgada. On Pico, choose the boutique vineyard hotel Azores Wine Company. Instead of flying between islands, take a cruise. This Fred Olsen sailing out of Southampton calls at Sao Miguel and Terceira, alongside Madeira and Lisbon. • More great hotels in the Azores• Best things to do in the Azores Stretching north from the Cabo de Sao Vicente, where a squat red lighthouse perches on the wind and wave-carved headland, the west coasts of the Algarve and Alentejo are rugged and free from crowds. Sculpted by the full force of the Atlantic, this is a place where wild beaches are backed by rocky cliffs, and towns and villages are small and chiefly frequented by Portuguese tourists. Hiking opportunities abound — the Rota Vicentina comprises more than 450 miles of well-marked trails both down the coast and through the quiet, rural interior — and there are excellent surfing beaches too, with fewer crowds than the more famous breaks north of Lisbon. Vila Nova de Milfontes is a charming town on the mouth of the Mira River with a sheltered estuarine beach and authentic, local restaurants. This simple but stylish two-bedroom house has a shared pool and is close to both the beach and the old centre of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Walk a 50-mile section of the Rota Vicentina's coastal trails on this week-long, guided hiking itinerary from Intrepid Travel. • Best family hotels in Portugal• Best holiday villas in Portugal
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ryder takes executive chef position at Twelve
Apr. 9—Hannah Ryder, chef de cuisine at Twelve, is taking over as executive chef for the fine dining restaurant. Ryder will replace Colin Wyatt, Twelve's executive chef since its launch on Thames Street in 2022. Wyatt will remain involved with Twelve, but is turning his attention to the upcoming launch of Douro, the Portuguese- and Spanish-inspired venue that will be a sister restaurant to Twelve and Evo Kitchen + Bar, all properties of the Prentice Hospitality Group. A Cumberland native, 27-year-old Ryder has previously cooked at Evo and another Prentice property, the Chebeague Island Inn. She also worked in New York City at legendary Chef Daniel Boulud's Café Boulud and at the acclaimed Scandinavian restaurant Aquavit. Ryder has been chef de cuisine at Twelve since the restaurant opened. Ryder said in a news release that she is "honored" to step into her new role, and "incredibly grateful to Chef Colin Wyatt, whose guidance and mentorship have been instrumental in my growth and in shaping Twelve's success." "I feel fortunate to work alongside such a talented and passionate team — one that consistently pushes the boundaries of creativity and remains deeply committed to delivering unforgettable guest experiences," Ryder added. Copy the Story Link
The Independent
01-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Is the Douro ready to step out of Port's shadow?
The Douro Valley is a place of extremes. Heat that shimmers off the schist, slopes so steep they'd give a mountain goat vertigo, a river that slices through the landscape like a well-aimed sabre. It's been a wine region for over 2,000 years, but for much of its modern history, it's been known for one thing: Port. A drink of tradition and status, Port built the Douro, lining the cellars of British aristocrats and keeping the merchants of Vila Nova de Gaia busy for centuries. But the region is evolving, and if there's one family proving that the Douro is more than just fortified wine, it's Symington. For over 140 years, they've been at the forefront of Port production, but these days, they're just as focused on what happens outside the barrel. The Symington legacy: A family that built the Douro To understand where the Douro is heading, it helps to know who's been steering the ship for more than a century. Symington Family Estates is the name behind some of the region's most storied Port houses – Graham's, Dow's, Warre's, Cockburn's – but their roots run even deeper. It all started in 1882 when a young Scotsman, Andrew James Symington, arrived in Portugal and embedded himself in the world of Port. He married into a family with Port-producing heritage stretching back to the early 1800s, and his descendants have been shaping the Douro ever since. Five generations later, Symington remains a family-run business, now led by the fourth and fifth generations. In a changing of the guard, Rob Symington has recently stepped up as co-CEO alongside head winemaker Charles Symington. Together, they continue to balance tradition with innovation, proving that the Douro's greatest strength isn't just its history – it's its ability to adapt. A valley built on Port, but just that anymore Port has always been the Douro's crown jewel, but the valley's winemaking history is far older. The Romans first planted vines here, no doubt impressed by the sheer drama of the landscape. But it was in the 17th century that the Douro cemented itself as a major player in the wine world, thanks to a row between Britain and France that left the former in need of a new supplier. Enter Portugal, where wines were not only plentiful but – when fortified with brandy – travelled well. The rest, as they say, is history. By the 18th century, Port was big business, leading to the world's first officially demarcated wine region, regulated by the Marquês de Pombal. The Douro became a land of law and order, at least where winemaking was concerned. Yet despite its long winemaking history, unfortified Douro wines were largely an afterthought until relatively recently. That's changing – fast. So, can the Douro really do fine wine? A few decades ago, suggesting that the Douro could compete with Bordeaux or Napa in the fine wine stakes might have earned you a look of polite disbelief. But today, it's happening, and Symington is leading the charge. The shift isn't just a marketing ploy. The region's indigenous grape varieties – Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz – have been making exceptional wines for centuries. It's just that, until now, most of them went into Port. Symington's portfolio is proving what the Douro is capable of. Quinta do Vesuvio, long famed for its powerhouse vintage Ports, is now producing a Douro DOC red that's structured, elegant and every bit as compelling as its fortified counterparts. Quinta do Ataíde, a vineyard instrumental in reviving Touriga Nacional, is producing Vinha do Arco, a single-varietal wine of remarkable depth and finesse. Their Altano range, meanwhile, is making Douro wines more accessible than ever, with bottles that balance power and elegance in equal measure. This isn't about abandoning Port; it's about proving that the Douro can do both. Climate change is the uninvited guest at the table Of course, making wine in the Douro is challenging enough without climate change throwing a spanner in the works. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall and prolonged droughts are making an already extreme region even more so. Symington, however, isn't standing still. One of the biggest shifts has been their expansion into higher-altitude vineyards, where cooler temperatures allow for slower ripening and better acidity retention. Their organic vineyard programme – the largest in northern Portugal – reflects their commitment to sustainability, as does their ongoing research into heat-resistant grape varieties. They're not just making wine for today; they're ensuring the Douro can keep making wine for generations to come. The wine world has taken notice. In 2024, Symington was named Green Company of the Year at The Drinks Business Green Awards, largely due to their work at Adega do Ataíde, which also secured Wine Company of the Year. The winery is LEED Gold certified, putting it in the upper echelon of sustainable wine buildings worldwide. With an ultra-low-impact design, a glass light-weighting programme and significant investment in solar power, it's a model of what the future of winemaking should look like. One judge called it 'the type of project other wineries should look to'. Not that they're stopping there. Symington was also the first wine company in Portugal to become a certified B Corporation, proving that their commitment to sustainability extends beyond the vineyard. They support conservation projects like Rewilding Portugal, which is restoring natural habitats in the Greater Côa Valley. A first-hand look at the Douro's evolution Spending time in the Douro with Symington makes one thing clear: this is a region in transition, and they're the ones steering the ship. At Quinta do Vesuvio, I saw grapes still foot-trodden in granite lagares, a method unchanged for centuries and one that produces some of the most structured, long-lived Ports in the world. Meanwhile, at Quinta do Ataíde, where vines grow in meticulously managed rows, their research into indigenous grape varieties is laying the foundation for how the Douro will navigate the future. The contrast between tradition and innovation is striking, and it's precisely this balancing act that makes the Douro so exciting right now. The Douro's next chapter Port built the Douro. That much is undeniable. But thanks to Symington and a new generation of winemakers, its future is about more than what sits in the barrel. The region is evolving, embracing both its heritage and its potential, proving that it can stand alongside the world's greatest wine regions – on its own terms. Symington has spent 140 years shaping the Douro. If this latest chapter is anything to go by, they're just getting started. Tasting the Douro: The wines that prove its future The Douro may have built its name on Port, but in the glass, the shift towards still wine is undeniable. Across Symington's estates, the wines are bold, expressive and distinct, showcasing the full potential of the valley's indigenous grapes. Here's how they stack up. For a Port house with a history as storied as Cockburn's, the question isn't whether they make good Port – it's just how much personality they pack into the bottle. Across the board, these wines show richness, structure and that classic Douro intensity, but each tells a different story. The Special Reserve remains a game-changer, even decades after it redefined the category. Bold red fruit bursts from the glass – cherries, plums and a touch of wild strawberry – before that signature dry finish pulls everything together. A slight peppery grip keeps things lively, balancing the plush, ripe sweetness. It's smooth enough to be dangerously drinkable, but with just enough bite to keep it from being one-dimensional. The 10-Year-Old Tawny is all about balance – amber-hued with a nose of caramel, hazelnuts and dried apricots. The palate delivers a wave of honeyed walnuts and baking spice, underpinned by fine acidity that lifts the finish. This is a Port that lingers, stretching out into long, toasted almond warmth. The 20-Year-Old Tawny, meanwhile, is Cockburn's at its most refined. There's a wonderful duality here – an almost ethereal lightness meets deep, layered complexity. Candied citrus, cedar and butterscotch meld into a silken, nutty finish. It's the kind of Port that deserves a quiet evening and a proper glass, but don't be surprised if it steals the show at the table. For a region that's long been defined by Port, the Douro's foray into still wine isn't just a side project – it's a full-blown renaissance. The Altano range from Symington Family Estates is proof that the valley's rugged terrain and indigenous grape varieties can produce serious wines beyond the fortified classics. The Altano Rewilding Edition is a vibrant and approachable introduction to the Douro's new identity. Touriga Franca lends floral aromatics, while Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) brings deep red fruit and Tinta Barroca adds structure. The result? A wine with bright berry flavours, a touch of Mediterranean herbaceousness and a supple balance between fruit, acidity and spice. It's fresh, generous and dangerously drinkable. Then there's the Altano Organic Red 2021, a deeper, more structured expression of the Douro. Touriga Nacional takes centre stage, delivering dark cherry, cassis and a hint of violets, while Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca round things out with plush fruit and velvety tannins. There's a flicker of dark chocolate on the finish, lending richness without overwhelming the wine's natural vibrancy. Quinta do Ataíde: The Douro's wild side, bottled If the Douro Valley is a land of extremes, then Quinta do Ataíde is where it all feels just a little more untamed. Nestled in the remote Vilariça Valley, this vineyard is an outlier – not just in geography, but in style. The loam and schist soils, the searing heat, the near-arid conditions: everything conspires to produce wines of remarkable depth and intensity. The Quinta do Ataíde Douro is a wine that feels firmly rooted in its place. Touriga Nacional leads the way, giving it a floral lift – think roses and violets – but there's a wilder, more resinous quality, like crushed pine needles after a long, hot day. Black plums and ripe red fruit dominate the palate, rounded out by supple tannins and a flicker of oak that never oversteps the mark. It's structured, but not brooding; powerful, but poised. Then there's the Vinha do Arco 2016, a single-varietal Touriga Nacional that showcases why this grape is the Douro's crown jewel. It's darker, denser, more brooding than its sibling. Black cherries, licorice and bergamot thread through layers of deep, inky fruit, with an undercurrent of spice and mocha oak. The tannins are polished, the acidity just bright enough to carry its weight and the finish stretches out like a lingering sunset over the valley. Quinta do Vesuvio is what happens when nature doesn't hold back. Searing heat, dramatic altitude shifts and an arid climate conspire to push vines to their limits, but the result is some of the Douro's most compelling wines – structured, refined and built to last. Pombal do Vesuvio is Douro red with backbone. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela and Alicante Bouschet, it leans into the valley's intensity. The nose is a medley of wild herbs, crushed rock rose, fig and fennel, underpinned by ripe black fruit and a balsamic edge – Douro schist and sun bottled. The palate is dark, plush and poised, with a mineral streak cutting through the richness like a steel blade. Tannins are gripping yet polished, giving structure without austerity. Nine months in French oak leaves a smoky whisper rather than a statement. The finish lingers – taut, savoury, flickering with dry pine needles and warm spice. Pair it with grilled meats, game or a slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Drinking well now, but built to evolve through 2029. If Pombal is power, Quinta do Vesuvio is balance. With 58% Touriga Franca and 40% Touriga Nacional, it brings elegance to the Douro's intensity. The nose lifts with roses, thyme and pine resin, while the palate unfolds in layers of blackberry, cassis and dark chocolate. Fifteen months in French oak adds structure without overshadowing the fruit. A serious, age-worthy Douro red, built for duck, venison or aged ribeye, and destined to develop over the next decade.
