To showcase the remarkable specificity and diversity of their Quinta dos Murças estate, Esporão, Portugal’s leading family-owned winery, releases three new Douro wines — Minas, Margem, and VV47.
Dating back to the 18th century and purchased by Esporão in 2008, Quinta dos Murças’ 123-acres of vineyards benefit from their unique locations bordering two of the Douro’s sub-regions; Baixo Corgo’s cooler, rainier climate imparts freshness and acidity to the grapes while they obtain concentration and structure from Cima Corgo’s warmer temperatures. Its vines are cultivated at different altitudes and varying exposures, and influenced by a range of microclimates. This results in Quinta dos Murças’ eight different terroirs — its degree of diversity surpasses France’s, which averages one terroir per 247 acres.
Winemakers David Baverstock and José Luis Moreira da Silva focused on producing wines that are an expression of Quinta dos Murças’ distinct terroirs, and balance freshness and complexity. Unlike the traditional big, mature reds of the Douro, Esporão’s latest releases are young, yet well-defined and elegant, offering an impressive depth of fruit that speaks to each particular vineyard:
Quinta dos Murças Minas 2015
Sourced from three of these terroirs, it is impossible to produce this wine anywhere else in the Douro. Vineyards are planted on south-facing slopes with a mix of schist, weathered schist and sandstone schist soils. Though the site has increased daytime exposure, it is cooled by nearby springs which dot the property. Made from a blend of five indigenous grapes, the Minas balances firm ripe tannins, with vibrant freshness and acidity.
Quinta dos Murças Margem 2015
Margem vineyards are distinguished for lower yielding vines, with an average age of 33 years, and close proximity to the Douro River. The two native varieties grow on south-facing vineyards with schist and pebble soils, at an altitude of 460-560 feet. For a young wine, it boasts exceptional concentration of fruit and remarkable aromatics, balanced by ripe acidity and finely integrated tannins.
Quinta dos Murças VV47 2012**
Aptly named for its vertical vines planted in 1947, the first in the Douro region, the vineyard is situated at higher altitudes with the purest form of schist found at Quinta dos Murças. Lush aromatic fruit and flowering plants surround, bestowing an unparalleled intensity to the wine. Layered and nuanced, the VV47 is complex, elegant and rich with well-integrated tannins and long finish.
