Quinta do Tedo, a small winery (Quinta in Portuguese) located in the heart of Douro River, at the confluence of Tedo and Douro river. Their estate offers a stunning view that overlooks the Douro river and the impressively sleep slopes of vineyards.

Brief History

Vincent Bouchard, who was originally from Burgundy purchased Quinta do Tedo in 1992 after hiking through Douro River with his wife, Kay. Vincent Bouchard is the son of Joseph Bouchard, the co-director of Bouchard Père & Fils, they are also related to William Fevre in Chablis. Naturally, winemaking is in his blood. After purchasing the rundown estate that was built in the 18th Century, Vincent and Kay spent close to 20 years restoring and modernizing the estate and replanting vineyards.

Quinta do Tedo has now turned into an up-to-date winery with a welcoming tasting room and a cozy bed & breakfast.

Vineyards and Production

Quinta do Tedo owns 14 hectares of vineyards and cultivates organically. The annual production is around 60,000 bottles, of which 45,000 bottles are Port wine. Quinta do Tedo is classified as Single Quinta, meaning all the grape are from their own vineyards. Their 15 ha vineyards are classified A rating by the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP), the highest rating a Port vineyard in Douro can achieve.

Only red wines are produced at Quinta do Tedo, around 75% are red Port wines and 25% red table wines. The vineyards are predominantly planted with Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão and Tinta Roriz, the classic premium grape varietals for Port wine production. The yields at Quinta do Tedo are lower than the average in Douro Valley, around 30 hl/ha. Quinta do Tedo produces the following wines:

Red Table Wine

Quinta do Tedo – The entry level table red made from roughly equal blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz. Stainless steel fermentation, then malolactic fermentation in 40% stainless steel and 60% barrel. Aged for 10-12 months in a mixture of stainless steel, 25% French oak. Retail price at €10.

Quinta do Tedo Reserva – Mid-range table red made from 60% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca and 10% Tinta Cão. Stainless steel fermentation, then malolactic fermentation in 40% stainless steel and 60% barrel. Aged for 18 months in 75-80% new French oak. Retail price at €18.

Quinta do Tedo Grande Reserva – This is their premium table red made is only made in exceptional vintages. Grapes comes from 60 year old vines from the 1 hectare Savedra parcel with 15% inclusion of Touriga Nacional and 10% of Touriga Franca. Stainless steel fermentation, then malolactic fermentation in 40% stainless steel and 60% barrel. Aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak. Retail price at €25.

Red Port Wine

Tawny – Quinta do Tedo makes three different bottlings of Tawny Ports ranging from 7 to 20 years old. Aged in a mixture of 225 litre and 500 litre barrels.

Rosé – A non-conventional Port made by pressing the grapes and no foot treading. Refreshing.

Ruby – Two Ruby Ports are produced at Quinta do Tedo, Ruby Porto and Finest Reserve. The Ruby Porto is aged in 7000 litre French oak barrel for 3 years. The Finest Reserve is aged in 500 litre French barrels for 5 years.

Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) – A single harvest vintage wine aged in 500 litre barrels for 4-6 years. Meant to be enjoyed a few years after bottling.

Vintage – As the name suggests, single harvest from exceptional vintages only. Aged in 7000 litre barrels for 2 years. Vintage Ports can last for many decades and up to a century for the finest Ports.

Winemaking is traditional at Quinta do Tedo, all grapes are hand harvested (still the most common method in Douro Valley), grapes are 100% destemmed, then crushed and treaded by feet, aged in fine neutral oak barrels. They are also certified organic.

Tasting Notes

Quinta do Tedo Douro 2014

This entry-level red table wine offers a generous amount of fresh red fruits and toasted oak. It partially spent 11 months in 228L Burgundian style oak barrels. Ample red berries, eucalyptus, blackcurrant, and spiced fruitcake. Firm tannins and earthy spices on the mid-palate. This requires food pairing. (82/100)

Quinta do Tedo Douro Reserva 2014

The 2014 Quinta do Tedo Douro Reserva comes from 60 year old vines with 80% Touriga Nacional, and remaining Touriga Franca and Tinta Cão. There is a step up in-depth and complexity on the Reserva compared to the entry-level wine. It spent 17 months in 228L oak barrels. Pungent dark berries, cassis, liquorice, toasted wood and slight jammy plums. Good intensity and high tannic level. Retails at €18. (85/100)

Porto Fine Tawny

The Fine Tawny is a blend of 6-8 year old tawny ports aged in 500 litre barrels. It offers a fine nutty walnut aroma with subtle dried dark fruits of cassis, some prunes, smokey wood toast and spices. An uncomplicated yet elegant Tawny Port with good acidity and soft tannins. The sugar and acidity level are well-balanced. Tamed and smooth. (83/100)

Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) 2011

6,000 bottles of 2011 Late bottled vintage were produced at Quinta do Tedo. The LBV comes from 40 years old vines and aged in 4000L barrel for 4-6 years. The 2011 LBV exhibits more concentration and refinement over the Porto Fine Tawny. Densely packed dark fruits and toasted grains, coffee beans, cassis. Great phenolic ripeness with finely tuned power. It needs a few more years of ageing. (86/100)

Vintage 2013

The Vintage Ports at Quinta do Tedo is a field blend of many grape varieties but mostly Touriga Nacional. Since all the grapes are estate grown, Quinta do Tedo can choose which vintage to declare unlike the large corporates. Only 1 large house (Quinta do Noval) declared vintage in 2013, the rest of the vintage ports in 2013 are declared by single-quinta estates. Only 3,500 bottles of 2013 Vintage were produced at Quinta do Tedo. Dark and brooding fruits with powerful and austere tannins. Big boned. €45 euros retail. (85/100)