Review: Quinta dos Murças, Minas 2018

The Douro is best known as the region of Portugal where the grapes for Port are grown, however this region also produces a significant amount of table wine (i.e., non-fortified, dry wine). And the quality-to-price ratio (QPR) for wines from this region is outstanding. When I’m looking for rich, full-bodied reds at a bargain price the Portugal section at the wine shop is one of the first places I look — when I’m lucky enough to find that section in a shop.

It perplexes me how many wine shops don’t have a Portugal section. This is truly the under the radar, hidden gem of the wine world — although it’s not that hidden. Portuguese wines have consistently been some of the best values out there for years, but too many wine shops, or maybe their distributors, aren’t giving them the attention they deserve.

This bottle, from Quinta dos Murças, is a great example of the gems to be found in the Portugal section of wine shops.

Quinta dos Murças

Quinta dos Murças is one of the estates owned and operated by Esporão, which is one of the largest wine producers in Portugal. Dos Murças’ vineyards are on the right bank of the Douro river, with steep slopes planted with vines from 363-1,089 feet in altitude. In 1947, they were the first estate on the Douro to plant vertical vineyards on those slopes, which allows better air flow because cold air can drain down and warm air can rise up more freely. They also say it results in more balanced production and a deeper root system, which strengthens the health of the vineyard.

In 2015, José Luis Moreira da Silva took over as the Director and Lead Winemaker on the estate. One of his first undertakings was to transition the vineyard to fully organic farming in partnership with Esporão’s master winemaker, David Baverstock, and viticulturalist, Amandio Rodrigues. This wine, being from the 2018 vintage, is therefore produced from organically-farmed grapes.

The name of the wine, Minas, comes from five water springs called minas that are located in the vineyards. The video below, produced by Esporão, shares some fact about Quinta dos Murças and also will show you how beautiful, and steep, this area is.

Tasting Notes

The aromas have an exotic quality to them, offering rich blackberry, balsamic, chocolate and floral/herbal, almost incense-like fragrances. The flavors are also quite rich, with flavors like blackberry, black raspberry, cherry and some vegetal notes, like green pepper. The acidity is perfect. The mouthfeel is nice. It finishes relatively long, with tart berry flavors lingering.

Wine: Quinta dos Murças, Minas
Varieties: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão and Tinta Francisca
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13%
Rating: 90
Average price: $24.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.

Other vintages: 2016 Quinta dos Murças, Minas

What Others Are Saying

Here are some links to other articles featuring this wine

• Pull That Cork – Esporão in Vinho Verde and Douro: Two Regions, One Winemaker
• Wine Casual – Esporão’s Focus on Sustainability in Portugal’s Vinho Verde & Douro DOCs
• The Good Wine Guru – Two Regions, Two Estates, One Winemaker Tasting