Manoella Old Vines Tinto 2021 Magnum

Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas Tinto 2021 is one of the Douro's benchmark wines, made by the renowned winemaking couple Sandra Tavares da Silva and Jorge Serôdio Borges at Wine & Soul. From a century-old vineyard more than 110 years old with a mix of over 30 native grapes, this red stands out for its elegant, fresh profile and great aromatic precision.

The Wine Advocate
RP 95

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

A few days after tasting most of their wines, I tasted a bottle of the impressive 2021 Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas, which they had forgotten to bring to the tasting. It was made with the estate's oldest vines, planted about 120 years ago. The nearly 30 different grapes were picked together on 28 September and vinified, partly destemmed, in stone lagares for 10 days. Ageing took place in French oak barrels and lasted 22 months. The barrels weren't new, but they marked the wine with intense aromas of sweet spices, vanilla and cinnamon, as well as notes of toast and smoke, giving it a balsamic personality. It also shows notes of ripe wild berries and herbs, with a sense of ripeness without excess. It has 14% alcohol and soft acidity.

It reminded me of some very good young Ribera del Duero wines, with power, concentration and generous use of oak, but also balance and elegance. It has abundant, fine-grained tannins and a medium to full-bodied palate. It should age very well in bottle.

4,000 bottles, 200 magnums and 29 double magnums were produced.

Jorge Serôdio and Sandra Tavares's Wine & Soul has focused its efforts on the vineyards in recent years. They've grown from the original two hectares dedicated to Pintas to more than 40 hectares today. The portfolio has also grown, as have production volumes. They now make 180,000 bottles, including Port.

Published: 04 April 2024