Founded in 1880 by Adriano Ramos Pinto, this Port House has always had a pioneering spirit – from the distinctive and stylish ‘art nouveau’ advertising from the 1900s to the continuing wide ranging vineyard research with results that have benefited the whole port trade. Champagne Louis Roederer, now the majority shareholder, perpetuates this philosophy and ensures continuity in a company renowned for wine-making excellence.
Quinta do Bom Retiro is only produced in exceptional years from the best plots on the Bom Retiro estate The estate dates back to 1789 when Queen D. Maria I included the Quinta in the Feitoria Demarcated Region. With a total of 110 hectares, 64 planted to vines with an average age of 40 years, the Quinta has a long history of producing exceptional vintage ports.
Ramos Pinto has always been a pioneer in the Douro, Bom Retiro was the Quinta first to use new planting methods suited to the terroir of the Douro. Vineyards are established on pre-phylloxera stone terraces, patamares and for the first time in the Douro, also on mechanizable vertical plantings.
Crushed by foot in the winepress, the grape fermentation process lasts around four to five days. The fermentation is stopped by the addition of 20% spirit. Lastly, the wine is racked. It does not undergo any hot or cold treatment or filtration.
The winter of 2018 in Quinta do Bom Retiro was cold and dry, with low rainfall. The start of spring brought intense and heavy rains, with cool temperatures that both delayed the harvest and hampered work on the vines. This was a major challenge overcome by the Ramos Pinto viticulture team. August and September, the two crucial months for grape maturation, were extremely dry and hot, with the desired conditions being attained for the harvest.
The harvest at Quinta do Bom Retiro began on 21st September and ended 2 weeks later than usual, extending to 10th October. The plots with old vines were harvested almost at the end, as was Touriga Franca, producing wines of an intense colour and excellent structure.
Deep red in colour, almost impenetrable. Fresh aromas of sour cherry, raspberry and redcurrant fruit with touches of rose petal and freshly cut mint.
On the palate, it is a serious and complex vintage revealing ripe black fruit, pepper and a floral note which provides character. Great structure, silky tannins and a fresh, velvety finish.
After dinner goes well with cheeses such as Serra, Gorgonzola, Stilton and Cabrales.
Serve between 17º and 18º C. Store the bottle upright, in a cool, dry and dark place.
Douro Valley, Portugal
Touriga Nacional 53%
Touriga Franca 29%
Sousao 10%
Field Blend Old Vines 8%
Cork
19.43
79g/l
No
No
