2016 Luis Duarte Rapariga da Quinta Tinto Reserva

With 25 years of experience, Luís has been responsible for the successful projects of Herdade do Esporão and most recently Herdade dos Grous. One of Portugal’s most recognized vignerons, Luís is the only winemaker to have been awarded Winemaker of the Year 3 times in 1997, 2007, and 2014. He has also consulted for a multitude of other highly accoladed wineries throughout the country. Luís aims to develop wine blends tailored to the preferences of the international wine lover, leveraging indigenous grape varietals, ancient winemaking processes, while utilizing state-of-the-art technology. The 2016 Rapariga is no different from years past, an overachieving red blend at a ludicrous price. Taste a trip through the wines of Portugal catered by one its best winemakers. 

In 2007, Luís started his own personal project introducing the Rapariga Da Quinta and Rubrica labels. Introduced to the US market only in 2010, they have become an instant success with both brands landing in the top 100 wines of the year in the Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Rapariga da Quinta translates into, “The Girl of the Estate.” The grapes come from a property located in S. Miguel de Machede (Évora), basically extending out in front of the winery where all of Luís’ wines are made. The range consists of red and white wine along with a red reserva.

Aging: 12 months in new and used French oak barrels

50% Alicante Bouschet, 30% Aragonez, and 20% Touriga Nacional. Beautiful intense ruby color. Deep and complex aromas of ripe fruit well integrated with the oak. Elegant and powerful on the palate, with a long and seductive finish that will enable the wine to evolve well in the bottle. Ideal to accompany traditional dishes of Mediterranean cuisine, roasted or grilled meats, and strong cheeses.