The American publication Wine Enthusiast distinguished seven wines from Quinta Vale D. Maria. The highlight was the Vale D. Maria Very Old Tawny Colheita Porto 1969, classified as "memorable" with 96 points.
With 95 points and the designation “Cellar Selection”, the elegance and balance of Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha do Rio 2017 are highlighted in the tasting notes of critic Roger Voss. “ For a wine with such a high alcohol content (15,5%), it is impressively elegant and balanced. It comes from a single vineyard, a 'field blend' that yielded magnificent, dense black fruit and tannins .”
In the case of Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2017, with 94 points and the designation “Cellar Selection”, Roger Voss focuses on the tannins and the dense, black fruit that make this wine powerful. “ A 'blockbuster' of tannins and dense black fruit. While showing all this power, the wine also displays a good arrogance, promising more with aging. Drink this impressive wine .”
With 93 points, the Quinta Vale D. Maria 2017 presents itself as a dense and structured red wine, according to the critic: “ A dense and structured wine from vineyards in the Torto Valley, a tributary of the Douro. The wine's tannins and black fruits are balanced by flavors of licorice and wood, resulting in an extremely concentrated wine .”
With 92 points, the Vale D. Maria Vinha de Martim 2018 white wine is described as " a small-production 'field blend' wine, aged in wood to enhance its fruity aromas and mineral texture ".
Port wines from Quinta Vale D. Maria
In addition to the wines, the Port wines from Quinta Vale D. Maria were also recognized.
The Vale D. Maria Very Old Tawny Colheita Porto 1969, rated 96 points, has been described as a “ memorable ” Port wine. Produced in very limited quantities, Roger Voss adds that “ the notes of spice and wood and the acidity harmonize at a point of supreme maturity ”.
The Quinta Vale D. Maria Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) 2015 Port wine received 92 points. “ Fermented in open stone lagares, this mature wine was aged for two years in large barrels. Fully mature, its black fruit transforms into sumptuous and full-bodied richness .”
In the Quinta Vale D. Maria Reserva Porto Lot No. 17, rated 90 points, Roger Ross highlights its richness and aging potential. “ Although modestly classified as a Reserve Port, it has much more. From its origin in rich old vines in a 'field blend', it exudes richness, spices, dried fruit and aging potential .”
