Wines Douro Quinta da Pedra Escrita - Abandonado - 2021

Viniou Reviews

Quinta da Pedra Escrita's Cuvée Abandonado 2021 is an enveloping red wine hailing from the Douro Valley, one of Portugal’s most iconic regions. Crafted from a blend typical of the area, this cuvée embodies the complex character Douro reds are renowned for. The 2021 vintage benefitted from a growing season of balanced ripening, producing grapes with both expressive fruit and measured acidity. While the exact blend is often a closely guarded secret, Douro reds traditionally feature indigenous varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz, vinified individually before careful blending. Ageing typically takes place in French oak barrels, imparting notes of vanilla, spice, and enhancing the wine’s structure.

The Douro region is defined by its dramatic terraced vineyards carved into schistose hillsides along the Douro River, benefitting from hot, dry summers and cooler nights, which preserve the freshness and complexity of the grapes. This unique terroir, combined with centuries-old winemaking tradition, gives Douro wines their depth and longevity. Historically renowned for producing Port, the region has, over recent decades, gained a reputation for robust, elegant dry red wines showing a harmony between fruit, earth, and minerality.

For food pairings, Cuvée Abandonado’s intense fruit profile and structured tannins make it an excellent match for roasted or braised red meats, game, or richly sauced dishes. Regional Portuguese cuisine such as roasted lamb with rosemary, savoury tripe stew, or bacalhau à Brás (salted cod with potatoes and eggs) will resonate beautifully with its character. Mature cheeses like Queijo da Serra or a robust farmhouse cheddar will also find a worthy partner.

To appreciate its full aromatic and textural range, decant the wine for at least an hour before serving. The ideal tasting temperature is 16-18°C, allowing both the vibrant fruit and subtle oak influences to emerge harmoniously on the palate. Enjoy this wine now, or consider cellaring for several more years to reveal further complexity.