Quinta do Infantado has been a leader in estate-bottled Ports since 1979. Until that time, all exported Ports had to be shipped in bulk to Vila Nova de Gaia, 60 miles west of the Douro Valley, where they were bottled and shipped. This practice effectively prevented small private producers from exporting their wines, since the cost of running an operation in another town was prohibitive for these vineyard owners. In 1986 the laws were changed.
The Quinta is based in Pinhão, specifically in the subdistrict of Gontelho where the best Port vineyards may be found. The estate has been owned by the Roseira family since the end of the 19th century and is now managed by brother and sister, João Roseira, vineyard manager/winemaker, and Catherine Roseira, Chief Executive. The vineyards (terraced, very steep and hard-soiled) are worked in traditional methods: all elaboration is done by hand. The grapes are picked by hand and still “trodden”. The winery aims for a medium-dry style - that is, there is less grape brandy or “aguardente” and less grape sugars.

ROBERT PARKER RATING: 95

ROBERT PARKER REVIEW: There were only 1,000 cases produced of the 1992 Vintage Port, and they are not likely to languish on retailers' shelves. A saturated, black/purple color is followed by a huge, ripe, pure nose of jammy blackberry and cassis fruit that is vaguely reminiscent of such great 1990 Hermitages as Chapoutier's Le Pavillon, Jaboulet's La Chapelle, or Chave's red label Cuvee Cathelin. Awesome concentration, massive body, an unctuous texture oozing with fruit, glycerin, and extract, and a blockbuster finish all suggest this will be a monumental port. Drink it between 2000-2030.