Honore Very Special Blend (one hinge broken) 2015 Crasto

Tasting Note Honore Very Special Blend (one hinge broken) 2015

Initially, aromas of dark plums and black cherries emerge, followed by dried herbs, violets, and a subtle hint of black pepper. On the palate, it is full-bodied and dry; the tannins provide a firm structure rather than coating the mouth, and the finish combines a stony texture with a subtle bitterness that brings out the natural flavor of the ripe fruit. The acidity is more refreshing than one might expect from the sweltering summers of Douro. It's ready to drink now after a brief aeration, though it also has ample aging potential.

Cellaring Potential

Since both the tannins and acidity are well-preserved, it can also be cellared for several years. Let it rest in a decanter for about an hour, then serve at 16-18°C.

About Crasto

A granite boundary marker from 1758, one of the pillars the Marquis of Pombal used to demarcate the world's first wine region, still stands on the property at Quinta do Crasto, near an old farmhouse. Few estates can say that. Set at Gouvinhas in the municipality of Sabrosa, on the right bank of the Douro, the estate has been in the family of Leonor and Jorge Roquette for over a century, with Miguel and Tomás Roquette now running things. Terraced vines climb from roughly 150 to 500 meters, which gives a wide spread of ripening conditions in one vineyard. Crasto makes dry Douro reds and whites, Port and olive oil, around 1.5 million bottles a year, and belongs to the Douro Boys. The single-vineyard Vinha Maria Teresa and Vinha da Ponte are the reference points.

Terroir & Climate

Crasto's vines climb the terraced slopes above the right bank of the Douro, located in Gouvinhas, and are distributed between approximately 150 and 500 meters above sea level. This range of altitudes plays a crucial role. The higher, cooler areas have a later ripening period, which helps preserve acidity, while the lower areas lend the wine body and darker fruit flavors. Narrow, terraced vineyards are cultivated on steep, rocky, and dry terrain. This is the Douro Demarcated Region, the world's first regulated wine region, and UNESCO-listed since 2001.

Winemaking

As its name suggests, Honore Very Special Blend is not bottled as a wine produced from a single designated vineyard, like Vinha Maria Teresa or Vinha da Ponte, but rather is a blend of grapes carefully selected from various plots.

Food Pairing

The tannins in this wine require roast meat and fat that can stand up to their intensity. Recommended pairings:

• Roast kid or lamb, Portuguese-style, with potatoes cooked in the pan juices
• Grilled beef (fatty cuts), served with just salt and olive oil
• Duck rice, the kind with a crispy top
• Aged sheep's milk cheese, firm and salty

The fat softens the wine's firm texture, while the wine's crispness cuts through the flavor cleanly.