Roquette & Cazes
Roquette & Cazes - Douro
Red,Douro
60% Touriga Nacional, 15% Touriga Franca, 25% Tinta Roriz
history
Since 2002, the Roquette family (Quinta do Crasto - Douro) has been associated to the Cazes family (Château Lynch-Bages - Pauillac) to produce great wines that ally the natural and unique characteristics of the Douro to the Cazes family’s experience of making top Bordeaux wines. Roquette & Cazes came into being with the 2006 vintage, and has benefitted since its launch from the expertise acquired with Xisto. Its keeping potential differentiates it from its older sibling. More accessible, it is ready to taste as soon as it is put on the market.
Vineyard
Winemaking
The grapes, coming from the vineyard plot Vinha Maria Teresa, are taken to the winery in 22 kg boxes. On arrival in the winery they are rigorously inspected on a sorting table. The grapes are then completely destemmed and crushed in traditional stone tanks (’lagares’). After this, the juice is transferred to temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Once the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the juice is gently pressed. About 18 months in French oak barrels
Tasting notes
Deep ruby in color. The nose impresses for its extraordinary freshness and complexity, showing fresh, forest aromas, wild berries notes and floral hints. The palate offers an elegant beginning, evolving into a wine of excellent volume and solid structure. The fine-textured tannins are well-integrated with lovely retronasal notes that evoke fresh aromas of gum cistus and wild berry fruit. The finish is balanced and persistent. This is a true wine, with its own identity, which reflects the purity and complexity of the Vinha Maria Teresa vineyard.
Food pairing
Aging potential
Grape varieties
60% Touriga Nacional, 15% Touriga Franca, 25% Tinta Roriz
Press
Current and upcoming vintage ratings :
201690 Wine Advocate
90
2016
This is lovely and a bargain, as it typically is. This, in theory (assuming the regulatory authorities agreed), could be called a Reserva, but the producer doesn't bother. It rarely disappoints, and the price is nice. So, too, this year (although it is overshadowed by its sibling, the 2015 Xisto this issue). Elegant and beautifully crafted, this has reasonable mid-palate finesse, controlled flavor and moderate tannins for support. It seems serious and approachable at the same time. At the price point, it is a great choice for a house pour or a restaurant wine.
Mark Squires - Wine Advocate
Terrisson Wines
195 rue Guy Arnaud
30900 Nîmes - FRANCE
+33 (0)4.66.23.44.22
GOVERNMENT WARNING : (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems