Portugal

Roquette E Cazes

Douro

The result of a joint venture between the Roquette family of Quinta do Crasto and the Cazes family, owners of Château Lynch Bages in Bordeaux. Jean-Michel Cazes fell in love with the Douro Valley having acted on behalf of the French insurance giant AXA in their purchase of Quinta do Noval, and having regretted the decision not to buy it himself, and prompted by his Portuguese wife Maria Teresa, he sought other opportunities in the region. A mutual understanding of the potential of the Douro Valley brought the two families together to produce Xisto, from old vines situated in the upper Douro Valley. Lynch Bages winemaker Daniel Llose oversees the winemaking, which is undeniably French in its inspiration, with higher fermentation temperatures to maximise extraction, and exclusive use of French oak. Tomas Roquette oversees the viticulture. The wine, which is a blend of 60% Touriga Nacional, 25% Tinta Roriz and 15% Touriga Francesa, combines the unique spicy character of the Douro with the finesse of a Cru Classé Bordeaux – a truly sublime combination.

Visit: www.quintadocrasto.pt/uk/direct_wine.htm