Quinta do Fojo 2017 90WA
Quinta do Fojo
Douro, Portugal

90 Pts Wine Advocate
The 2017 Quinta do Fojo is a new brand just labeled "Quinta do Fojo," as opposed to "Fojo" or "Vinha do Fojo." This is the third vintage, a field blend from younger (30 years) vines, particularly Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Francesa, Alicante Bouschet and Touriga Nacional. It was aged in large, used French casks.

Fruit forward and lively, this has a wonderfully fresh feel and vivid flavor. This is a good vintage to accomplish what the winery probably wants to do here—make an easier and fruitier wine that does not require as much aging. It is not as powerful as its predecessors, perhaps, but it is much tastier and fresher, even while remaining reasonably concentrated. There is still fine structure, although the tannins are ripe. I like this a lot. The expression of fruit is just brilliant, although the structure is a step behind. Still, very few wines in this issue's report were this vivid in flavor. You can drink this young. It will hold reasonably well too. If it can show a bit more gravitas, it will have to do that in the cellar.

One of Douro's small, fanatical and most exceptional producers, Fojo has finally issued an affordable and more accessible wine (called "Quinta do Fojo"). Of course, it is still a wine from owner Margarida Borges, and she does not do things halfway. So, there is still structure and aging potential.

• Douro sub-region: Cima Corgo
• Produced at the Quinta do Fojo located at the left bank of the Valley of the Pinhão river
• Vineyard: Made exclusively from the vines of the property. 4 ha planted in 1986 with a field blend where the Tinta Roriz is the most planted grape variety. Mediterranean climate.
• Hard rock terraced schist soil vineyards. The vineyard stands 270m to 370m above sea level.
• Vinification: The fermentation is made in stainless steel tanks.
• Aging: The aging took place in big French oak vats lasting 19 months.
• Bottled in May 2018.
• The production was of 7300 bottles.
• Alcohol: 14.4%
• Total acidity: Total acidity 4,4g/1 Residual sugar 0,791 PH 3,06

• Winemaker: Margarida Seródio Borges