Quevedo Colheita 2010 Tawny Port - 375 ml

This single-harvest fortified wine originates from the rugged, terraced hillsides of the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior sub-regions in northern Portugal's Douro Valley, crafted by family-owned Quevedo Port Wine (Vinhos Oscar Quevedo). A Colheita is a single-vintage tawny port aged in seasoned wooden casks for a minimum of seven years—though Quevedo typically matures their Colheitas well beyond the statutory minimum before bottling. Blended from estate vineyards planted with traditional indigenous Portuguese grape varieties—predominantly Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão—the fermentation is halted midway by the addition of neutral grape spirit (aguardente) to preserve natural residual grape sweetness. After aging patiently in seasoned French and Portuguese oak pipas (550-to-600-liter casks), this 2010 vintage was bottled at 39 proof (19.5% ABV) in a standard 750 ml format, fully stabilized and ready to drink upon release.

Spirit Description

This Colheita displays a luminous tawny-amber hue with copper-brick reflections and slow, unctuous legs in the glass. On the nose, it is expressive, warm, and nut-forward, opening with concentrated aromas of dried figs, Medjool dates, sultanas, and orange peel marmalade, layered over toasted hazelnuts, roasted almonds, butterscotch, and warm vanilla bean. On the palate, it delivers a medium-to-full-bodied, velvety, and silky mouthfeel, balancing its rich residual sugar with a lively seam of natural grape acidity. Flavors of caramelized orchard fruit, toffee, and candied walnut flood the front palate before giving way to delicate mid-palate notes of sweet baking spices (cinnamon stick and nutmeg), cocoa dust, and seasoned oak tannins. The finish is remarkably long, clean, and persistent, trailing off with toasted wood spice, dried apricot, and a lingering citrus-peel warmth.

Accolades

Quevedo's Colheita releases hold high acclaim among Port critics, sommeliers, and fortified wine publications, routinely earning 90+ point scores from outlets like Wine Spectator, Decanter, and Wine Enthusiast. Reviewers consistently commend Oscar and Cláudia Quevedo for their hands-on, modern approach to single-vintage tawny aging. Critics specifically praise Quevedo Colheitas for preserving vibrant core fruit freshness alongside oxidative tertiary nuttiness, avoiding the heavy, syrupy over-concentration found in less balanced aged tawnies.