Quinta da Côrte launches TNX DOC DOURO 2021 

In the year of celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Quinta da Côrte, in Valença do Douro, presents the “TNX DOC Douro 2021”, the first wine in what will become a collection of special editions from Quinta da Côrte, consisting of monovarietal references of excellence, to be produced in unique years, using grapes from the best plots of the farm, carefully selected by Marta Casanova, winemaker and general director of the project. Named “TNX” (Touriga Nacional in Schist), this monovarietal not only pays homage to the grape variety used in its creation, Touriga Nacional, considered the “queen of grape varieties”, planted in shale soil, the unique terroir of Quinta da Côrte, as well as marking a decade of history of the Douro producer, a special region classified by UNESCO as World Heritage. 

This new premium reference was created following a batch tasting during which Marta Casanova and the French consultant Stéphane Derenencourt, responsible for the oenology of DOC Douro wines, noticed that there was a totally different wine, which stood out from the others. A 100% Touriga Nacional wine, one of the noblest Portuguese grape varieties, in schist soil, originating from a specific plot of Quinta da Côrte, 504, which faces north, and which was planted in the 70s. After the surprising barrel tasting, Stéphane Derenencourt, consultant at Derenoncourt Consultants, created the motto for the wine from this vintage and variety to become a special reference, and a collection, in homage to the territory that saw its birth. The TNX DOC Douro 2021 reflects the work done by the producer’s team, and also the entire philosophy and essence of this very specific – and unique – terroir of Quinta da Côrte. 

«This is a very special moment for us, for the entire Quinta da Côrte team. In the year in which we celebrate 10 years of this project that I am proud to direct, several high quality wines have been presented to the market, as well as our first organic olive oil, but this wine, the TNX DOC Douro 2021,, created together with the consultancy of Stéphane Derenencourt, is a very special product and project, which inaugurates a collection of very exclusive monovarieties that we intend to launch only in unique years, as was the case in 2021, the harvest year of this Touriga Nacional that we now present, and which marks this year of celebrations in the best possible way, as well as representing our tribute to this grape variety, on shale soils, so typical of our region, and particularly of our Quinta’s terroir”, says Marta Casanova, winemaker and general director of Quinta da Côrte. «This moment became even more special with the fact that we had the presence of Philippe Austruy, owner and promoter of this magnificent adventure that has been producing wines here at Quinta da Côrte, in the presentation in which it was possible to bring together the entire Quinta family da Côrte, on an unforgettable day, in which many were present, and witnessed the essence of this project, the essence of Quinta da Côrte», he adds. 

The choice of this harvest to produce TNX is due to the fact that 2021 was, in general, an atypical and surprising year. If, on the one hand, there were records of previous years, which were very hot and dry, characterized by the growing impact of climate change, this year turned out to be one of the coolest during the vine’s growth cycle and during the harvest. The heat waves that have become a habit in the Douro did not occur and it ended up being a cool and mild summer. Therefore, there was no need to rush the cutting of the grapes due to signs of dehydration or water stress, but rather to slow down, which allowed the plants to make the most of the water available in the soil. 

After the harvest, which began on September 14, 2021, manual selection followed. All viticulture is precision, done by hand, surgically, plot by plot, berry by berry, always aiming for maximum quality. Most of Quinta da Côrte’s vineyards and plots are recorded through an application, which allows the entire cycle to be monitored with very specific parameters, namely grape variety, exposure, climate, density, temperatures, among others. In the winery, the philosophy is always that of minimal intervention, and by gravity, as designed by Pierre Yovanovitch and Marta Casanova. This single variety aged for 24 months in 500l French oak barrels until bottling in mid-September 2023 

Ready for tasting, TNX reveals a variety of aromas on the nose, from black fruit and enveloping chocolate, to spicy notes and floral touches. In the mouth it presents a great balance between structure and complexity, with a skillfully integrated acidity, which highlights its fruity richness and depth of mouth. This is a wine that stands out for its elegance, representing the pure expression of Touriga Nacional on shale soils. The suggestion for pairing is hot and comfort dishes, such as pork loin with pumpkin puree, roast beef with roast potatoes. 

To mark its 10th anniversary as a wine producer under its own name, Quinta da Côrte has been developing several initiatives throughout the year, under the motto of the four elements of nature – water, air, earth and fire – all they are linked in some way to the world of wines, and to the universe of Quinta da Côrte. The launch of TNX DOC Douro 2021 celebrates the TERRA element, by highlighting this very specific terroir, with 26 hectares of vineyards, of which more than half are made up of old vines, which allowed the excellence of this Touriga Nacional. 

Alongside the initiatives that aim to celebrate 10 years of wine production in this old Douro farm, which dates back to the mid-18th century, Quinta da Côrte has its eyes firmly set on the future, and a clear vision of the potential that the terroir has for that there is still a lot of history to write, a lot of ink to flow and a lot of red (and not only…!) to taste, the result of this Douro that still has a lot to tell. 

Limited edition, with only 658 bottles, numbered, in magnum format (1.5l) – which provides a better evolution in the bottle -, the TNX DOC Douro 2021 is on sale (RRP €450.00) in some wine stores and stores specialty, in Portugal and abroad.