Carlos Lucas Vinhos, Vinha Do Reino, 'A river runs through it', Douro, Portugal, 2021

Producer Profile

Carlos Lucas is the man behind the wine, first and foremost a farmer, but now a very talented winemaker with over 25 years of experience across Portugal. He started the estate 15 years ago on an ancient property once owned by the local priest.

A stream encircles this quaint vineyard providing protection from the vast neighbouring pine, eucalyptus and oak forest. It surrounds the poor granite soils, perfect for viticulture, and has given it the name "Quinta do Ribeiro Santo" which means "Holy River Estate".

Viticulture

The property is located in the municipality of Tabuaço, in the parish of granjinha, along the right bank of the river Távora. This plot of 30 ha of vines, some of them over 100 years old are sitting on a schist soil with some granitic outcrops at an altitude between 250 to 470 m, with hot summers and little annual rainfall.

Winemaking

After a careful selection of the grapes, destemming and pressing the must is fermented in stainless steel vats at 22ºC for 15 day with gentle assemblage and extraction of the colour and aromas and to preserve the freshness. Rested in stainless steel tank before bottling

Oak Ageing

No oak ageing

Tasting Note

An open ruby coloured wine, there are notes of red fruits and wild berries on the nose. In the mouth it shows freshness, red berry and bramble fruits and wonderfully light tannin structure.

Food Matching

Rich game dishes such as duck with rice, partridge and chorizo.