Croft’s magnificent old property of Quinta da Roêda forms a vast sweep of terraced vineyard on the north bank of the Douro just upstream from the village of Pinhão. In common with many of Europe’s finest wine estates, Roêda’s vineyards were devastated in the 1870s by Phylloxera. The damage was so extensive that its owners, decided to convert the property to the cultivation of the mulberry tree whose leaves are the preferred food of the silk worm. Fortunately, the solution to Phylloxera was finally found. Otherwise, the estate might be known today as the source of the finest silk rather than for the silken-textured wines for which Roêda is now renowned. Now, for the first time, a Vintage Port has been made from grapes grown on the magnificent plots. In a historic reference to the estate’s involvement in the production of silk and to the characteristically silk-like texture of its wines, it has been named Serikos.

94 Points
Wine Advocate
2017 vintage
95 Points
2017 vintage
Harvest Note
The vineyard cycle got off to an early start, with the first buds emerging between March 8th and 10th, in spite of the cold, dry weather. The very dry Spring stood out as a defining feature of the 2017 viticultural year. Only a few millimetres of rain fell in April, with May and June continuing dry. Temperatures were above average for the period. The early development of the vines continued, with flowering starting right at the beginning of May and a very early véraison making its appearance around June 18th. The drought conditions continued throughout the summer and until the end of September. July was hot but, fortunately, the temperatures in August fell to more moderate levels, particularly at night, giving balance to the ripening crop. Picking at Quinta da Roêda began on August 31st, the earliest start date for over 70 years. The exceptional density of the musts, yielded by thick skinned grapes led to impressive scale and richness of the wines.
Tasting Note
Inky black center with a rim of deep purple. The nose opens rich, ripe fruit with crisp red berry aromas blending with ripe, succulent black fruits. Eucalyptus and rock rose scents merge with hints of crushed mint, fresh citrus notes and a pot-pourri of savory herbs and dried rose petal. On the palate the wine is thick, dense and silky, packed with opulent fruit and supported by a mesh of tightly-woven tannins. This magnificent expression of the oldest vineyard plots at Quinta da Roêda showcases the old vines’ remarkable qualities and their ability to open doors on unexpected new dimensions of aroma.
Food Pairing
Pair with strong cheeses such as Cheddar or Stilton, and desserts made with dark chocolate.
Technical Data
GRAPES: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
APPELLATION: Douro
PH: 3.82
ACIDITY: 4.83 g/l
ABV: 20%
AGING: Aged for 2 years in large, conditioned French oak vats before bottling. Will continue to age in bottle for decades.
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 96 g/l
Unique Selling Points
  • Wonderfully aromatic with a rich fruitiness and an exotic herbal character
  • Pairs perfectly with chocolate and chocolate based desserts
  • Made with 100% foot-trodden grapes from old vines at Quinta da Roêda
  • This wine will develop for decades in the bottle

About the Grape

Tinta Barroca
Used to make Port wines, this high yielding grape has very high sugar content, which makes wines with pronounced floral character, good structure and firm, ripe tannins.
Tinta Cão
This grape has blackberry, game and meaty aromas, and contributes longevity and exceptional elegance to the blend of Port wines.
Tinta Roriz
Tinta Roriz produces deep-colored grapes of moderate acidity which make bold wines with firm tannins, excellent complexity and distinctive resin-like fragrance.
Touriga Franca
This grape has high tannins and is very aromatic; it lends structure and balance to Port wines. It shows intense fresh red fruit, earth and flower aromas, and is very fruity on the palate.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional produces wine with finesse, body and warmth that is dark, concentrated, massively tannic and aromatic. It ages to show the complex aromas typically found in mature vintage port.
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