Roquette & Cazes 2018

The elegance and richness of a Douro wine by Roquette & Cazes

The estate

Roquette & Cazes is the product of a meeting between two friends and two know-hows through a shared dream. Jorge Roquette, from Quinta do Crasto in Portugal, and Jean-Michel Cazes, from Château Lynch-Bages, combined their talents to produce very fine wines. This union gave rise to wines marked by the particular features of the Douro Valley and the typical style of Bordeaux from the Cazes family, which has been established on the Pauillac appellation for nearly a century.

The wine

Produced from exceptional terroirs since 2006, this Douro by Roquette & Cazes is produced from grapes which come from the Cima Corgo and Haut-Douro zones. This wine seduces with its aromatic richness and its significant ageing potential.

The vintage

While 2017 was a particularly hot and dry year, the heavy rainfall up to mid-June was beneficial for the vineyard. Springtime humidity combined with mild temperatures led to the presence of unusual mildew in the Douro between flowering and fruit set, which was countered by the intervention of the teams at the estate. Thanks to the sufficient water reserves, the hot and dry conditions in August did not impact the vineyard. The alternation between cool nights and hot days throughout September brought about an outstanding level of ripeness. The grapes harvested gave rise to a 2018 vintage marked by a beautiful concentration, as well as an exceptional structure and freshness.

Winemaking and ageing

After the manual harvests, which were carried out with great delicacy, the grapes were sent to the winery to begin a custom-made vinification process. First, they are carefully inspected on a sorting table before being destemmed and gently pressed. Fermentation in carried out in thermoregulated, conical, stainless steel vats. Rack and return is carried out during fermentation to maximise contact with the grapeskins and to develop the concentration, complexity and elegance of the wine, which subsequently enjoys 18 months of ageing in oak barrels.

Blend

The Roquette & Cazes 2018 is made from a blend of Touriga Nacional (60%), Tinta Roriz (25%) and Touriga Franca (15%).

Tasting

Colour

The wine is a beautiful, deep ruby colour.

Nose

The nose unveils refreshing fragrances of red fruits and spices.

Palate

The full-bodied and elegant palate seduces with its structure and velvety tannins, as well as its persistent and balanced finish.