Why it matters
The producer
José Fortunato Júnior and Antónia Soares Fortunato devoted their lives to Port at Quinta da Devesa. The Fortunato family acquired the property in 1941, and Quinta da Devesa remains an independent family company.
Luís Rodrigues is the winemaker. Every wine uses grapes grown exclusively on the estate. The range includes aged red and white Ports, Colheitas, Late Bottled Vintage and Vintage. Tawny Port ages in wooden casks at the estate's own cellars, where natural ageing darkens the colour.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Quinta da Devesa lies in Canelas near Peso da Régua, at the boundary between the Baixo Corgo and Cima Corgo subregions. Its vineyards cover 30 hectares and run from 50 to 500 metres in altitude, with north, south and west facing exposures.
South facing vineyards receive more sunshine, while north facing slopes preserve freshness. These different conditions stagger grape maturity, allowing harvest management across the holding before estate grown fruit enters the range's red, white and vintage dated Port styles.
Wines to know
The range in view
Quinta da Devesa 10 Years Tawny is a blend of 30% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz, 20% Touriga Nacional and 20% Tinta Barroca. The component wines average 10 years of age and mature in old French oak casks of 550 litres.
The wine is sweet, nuanced and developed, with oak, raisins, cinnamon, walnuts, dried figs, honey and orange chocolate. Aromas of marzipan and blanched almonds sit above a hint of spirit. The palate is soft, smooth and rounded, with crème caramel, a creamy opening and a finish marked by grip. Tawny Port at Quinta da Devesa favours acidity and complexity over overt fruitiness.