{"product_id":"2022-wine-soul-quinta-da-manoella-vinhas-velhas","title":"2022 Wine \u0026 Soul Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas","description":"\u003cp\u003e2022 Wine \u0026amp; Soul Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas is a deeply expressive Douro red crafted from a single, century-old vineyard planted with a remarkable diversity of native grape varieties. This is a powerful yet refined field blend that captures the soul of the Douro Valley, balancing intensity, elegance and a strong sense of place. With 95 points from Robert Parker, it stands as one of the benchmark wines of the region in this vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas shows a deep, opaque ruby to almost purple core with vibrant, youthful reflections, hinting at both concentration and longevity. The nose is layered and complex, with intense aromas of black fruits—cassis, blackberry and ripe plum—interwoven with notes of dark chocolate, graphite-like minerality and subtle spice.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is full-bodied and polished, with ripe, finely textured tannins that frame generous flavors of plum, cassis, blackberries and dark cherries. Nuances of cocoa, liquorice, dried herbs and a stony, mineral edge add depth and definition. The oak is beautifully integrated, lending gentle vanilla and toasted notes without overpowering the fruit. The finish is long, graceful and persistent, with a lingering interplay of dark fruit, spice and mineral character. While already approachable with some aeration in its youth, this 2022 has the structure and concentration to evolve superbly over 10–15 years or more in a good cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQuinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas comes from a historic Douro estate with predominantly south-facing vineyards, where steep schistous terraces and low-yielding, over 100-year-old vines naturally produce small, intensely flavored grapes. Around 30 indigenous Portuguese varieties are co-planted in this ancient vineyard, reflecting the traditional field-blend heritage of the Douro. Harvest is carried out by hand at optimal ripeness, with a strict selection of the fruit. The grapes are fully destemmed and then traditionally foot-trodden in granite lagares, a gentle method that maximizes color and flavor extraction while limiting harsh tannins from crushed seeds. Fermentation continues in stainless steel tanks, preserving freshness and purity of fruit, after which the wine is aged for about 20 months in French oak barrels—approximately 30% new and 70% used—striking a balance between complexity, structure and terroir expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a superb gastronomic wine, ideally matched with richly flavored dishes such as grilled or roasted red meats, slow-braised beef, lamb shanks, venison and other game, especially with robust, savory sauces. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses like Manchego, São Jorge or mature cheddar, as well as hearty stews and mushroom-based dishes. Serve at 16–18°C (around 60–64°F) for optimal expression. For current drinking, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended to allow the wine to open up and soften, particularly in its youth; older bottles will benefit from a gentler, shorter decant to remove sediment and awaken the aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWine \u0026amp; Soul was founded in 2001 by the talented winemaking couple Sandra Tavares da Silva and Jorge Borges, both widely respected figures in contemporary Portuguese wine. Their vision was to create characterful, terroir-driven wines that express the very best of the Douro through meticulous vineyard work and thoughtful, often traditional, winemaking. Starting with a tiny, old-vine property in Vale de Mendiz near Quinta do Noval, they quickly rose to prominence, gaining both national and international acclaim for wines of charm, precision and depth. In 2009, they inherited Quinta da Manoella, an exceptional estate dominated by very old, south-facing vineyards that have since become a cornerstone of Wine \u0026amp; Soul’s portfolio. Today, the winery is regarded as one of the leading lights of the Douro, regularly earning top scores from major critics and helping to redefine the region as a source of world-class, ageworthy red wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wine and Soul","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251856757073,"sku":"GCW-WISO-22111910","price":106.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2022_Wine_Soul_Quinta_da_Manoella_Vinhas_Velhas.png?v=1783441890","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2022-wine-soul-quinta-da-manoella-vinhas-velhas","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}