Quinta de la Rosa
Quinta da Rosa Vinhos do Porto, Lda.
| Founded |
1906 |
| Owner |
Bergqvist family |
| Vineyards |
Quinta de la Rosa, Vale do Inferno, Quinta Amarela nas Bateiras, Dona Clara (originally Quinta de Lameiro do Rego), Quinta das Lamelas |
| Vintage Port Brands |
Quinta de la Rosa, Vale do Inferno |
| Web-site |
www.quintadelarosa.com |
Quinta de la Rosa is owned by the Swedish Bergqvist family, and is currently run by Tim and his daughter Sophia. Tim's grandfather, Daniel Bergqvist came to Portugal from Sweden. Daniel’s son Eric married Clair Feuerheerd. The Feuerheerds, came from Hamburg, Germany, to set up trading, mining and wine interests in Porto and Viana do Castelo. The Bergqvist family have been shipping port since 1815 originally trading under the family name Feuerheerd Brothers.
Quinta de la Rosa was purchased in 1905 as a christening present for Tim's mother, Claire Feuerheerd. Albert, Claire's father, quickly expanded the property, purchasing Quinta Amarela nas Bateiras in 1907. Tim's mother Claire died in 1972.
The original name of the Quinta de la Rosa property was Quinta das Bateiras, but was later changed to De la Rosa. the name originates from a brand the Feuerheerd family sold in Jerez in the beginning of the twentieth century. Quinta de la Rosa expanded further with the acquisition of Quinta de Lameiro do Rego in 1973, which was later renamed after Tim’s mother, Dona Clara. Quinta das Lamelas was bought in 1985.
Vale do Inferno is the oldest vineyard at Quinta de la Rosa. It was built by Sophia Bergqvist's great grandfather, Albert Feuerheerd, just before the First World War and is situated along the banks of the Douro, two kilometres from Pinhão. The vineyard boasts some of the highest dry stone terrace walls in the Douro, towering up to 5 meters high. Ramps, instead of steps, were built into the walls allowing mules to plough the whole vineyard. This was quite unusual for the time. Vale do Inferno has mixed planting of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Amarela. A few of the vines date back to Sophia's great grandfather's original plantation.
Quinta de la Rosa first came to prominence as a Single Quinta Vintage Port in the 1920s when Feuerheerds declared 1924, 1927 and 1929 under the Quinta's name. Sadly the 1930's depression, and Albert's untimely death, saw the need to dispose of the Shipping House, Feuerheerd Brothers in 1933. The Quinta remained in the family hands and was run by Claire Bergqvist and then her son Tim producing grapes and selling them to Croft and then latterly Sandeman. La Rosa grapes went into Robertson Brothers’ Vintage Port Rebello Valente.
In 1988 the Bergqvists, led by Tim and his daughter Sophia, decided to relaunch Quinta de la Rosa, taking advantage of the change in the Port Wine regulations. These changes enabled producers to sell port direct from their estates and not via Vila Nova de Gaia near Porto.
In the Quinta de la Rosa 1999 vintage port, all the grapes came from the vineyard Vale do Inferno. This is the only time that Vale do Inferno has been released as a single quinta vintage.
| Quinta de la Rosa Vintages: | 1924 (Feuerheerd), 1927 (Feuerheerd), 1929 (Feuerheerd), 1960, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1972 (bottled by Sandeman), 1978, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
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| Vale do Inferno Vintages: | 1999 |
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| Vale do Paraiso Vintages: | 1999 |
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Vintage Port tasting notes:
| House | Quinta de la Rosa
Feuerheerd | Vintage | 1924 |
| Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Pharmacy and ether in the nose. Unbalanced and alcoholic. | Score range | 15.75 - 15.75 |
| Taste | Mature and quite old. Not quite balanced and had faded a bit. Quite agreeable finish. Very interesting and exciting anyhow. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 15th January 2004 | Point this date | 15.75 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa
Feuerheerd | Vintage | 1929 |
| Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Pharmacy and ether in the nose. | Score range | 15.40 - 15.40 |
| Taste | Mature and quite old. Alcoholic. Quite tasty and complex with a nice finish. Quite good for the year. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 10th April 1998 | Point this date | 15.40 |
| Comment | At a tasting in a friend’s home.
This bottle was from Wine Merchant Peter Jörgensen, Strandvejen in Copenhagen Private Wine Cellar, sold to a Board Member of the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 when he moved from Denmark to Bordeaux.
| Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1988 |
| Colour | Yellow, mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 5 |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, cacao, toffee, coffee and dried fruit and Christmas spiciness in the nose. | Score range | 15.40 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Will probably not be better but has still some very elegant and soft tannin. Christmas spiciness, cacao and dried fruit in taste. Balanced with sweetness but very elegant. Have a quite attractive and complex finish. | Average score | 15.81 |
| Last tasted | 15th September 2016 | Point this date | 15.90 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Semi-Great Tasting in Malmö.
This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal Private Collection.
In 2016 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1990 |
| Colour | Yellow, transparent and very mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 6 |
| Bouquet | Roses, herbs, cream candy and crème caramel in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and almost on top but still some very soft tannin but will not be better. Very tasty with herbs some crème caramel, ginger and crème candy in flavour. Balanced and elegant with a long and quite attractive finish. | Average score | 15.61 |
| Last tasted | 17th December 2020 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | Tasting with Munskänkarna in Lund.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1991 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, cacao, mint, some herbs and some spiciness but also old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite mature and peaking and will not be better. Very tasty with burned sugar, crème caramel, cacao, some herbs in flavour. Balanced and quite elegant finish but not so long as expected. However, very easy to drink and like. | Average score | 16.13 |
| Last tasted | 21st September 2021 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in Fourth International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1992 |
| Colour | Yellow, mature quite beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, some fudge, cacao and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 15.75 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced and rather elegant with some soft tannin but will not improve. Coffee and fudge in taste with a nice finish. Easy to drink indeed. An interesting and long finish. | Average score | 15.50 |
| Last tasted | 8th November 2018 | Point this date | 15.25 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
In 2018 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1994 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but mature and yellow rim in colour. | Number of tastings | 7 |
| Bouquet | Pepper, toffee, candy, cacao, dark chocolate and a hint of crème caramel in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 17.00 |
| Taste | Lovely body. Mature and peaking, but still some very elegant tannins. Balanced with toffee, candy and dark chocolate in the mouth. Quite complex and very easy to drink with a quite enjoyable, long and attractive finish. | Average score | 16.58 |
| Last tasted | 16th May 2024 | Point this date | 17.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
In 2024 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1995 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Burned candy, fudge and burned sugar in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 15.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature but will improve due to some soft tannin. Fudge in taste. Easy to drink and enjoyed with an attractive finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 18th September 2014 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still very dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 7 |
| Bouquet | Herbs, sweet liquorice, some mulberry, cacao, dark chocolate and cinnamon in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and almost peaking but with some elegant tannin and will probably be better. Sweet liquorice, cacao and dark chocolate in flavour. Quite attractive and sweet with an impressive finish and as always easy very enjoyable. | Average score | 15.95 |
| Last tasted | 5th January 2022 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1997 |
| Colour | Still very dark but with a yellow mature rim. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Fudge, a little toffee, cream candy and crème caramel in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite mature but with some soft tannin and will probably not be much better but balanced and delicious today. Fudge, toffee and cream candy in taste with longa and quite interesting finish. Very easy to drink and like with an interesting and long finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 30th April 2018 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | At home with the family
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1998 |
| Colour | Dark blue in colour with a yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Complex nose of cherry and old grocery shop. | Score range | 14.50 - 15.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Fruity. Still immature and some soft tannin. Balanced and easy to drink and like. Attractive finish. | Average score | 15.00 |
| Last tasted | 7th November 2005 | Point this date | 15.00 |
| Comment | At the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa
Quinta Vale do Inferno | Vintage | 1999 |
| Colour | Dark blue, beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Black cherry, fruity, minty and dark berry in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 15.90 |
| Taste | Medium body. Dark cherry in flavour. Sweet. Still immature and soft tannin. Nice and balanced. Loaded with fruit. Nice and quite attractive finish. | Average score | 15.83 |
| Last tasted | 6th June 2012 | Point this date | 15.90 |
| Comment | At home with the family
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2000 |
| Colour | Black in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Very juicy and dark berry in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Medium body. Immature and full of tannins. Loaded with fruit. Easy to like and even to drink. Attractive port. | | |
| Last tasted | 3rd November 2003 | Rating this date | Very good/ Impressive |
| Comment | At the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2003 |
| Colour | Dark blue in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Lovely bouquet of mulberry, black cherry, roses and spring flower. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Still lots of tannin and will be much better. Mulberry in taste. Complex and balanced with a quite long and attractive finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 10th May 2014 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | Tasted in our Private Wine Club.
| Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2004 |
| Colour | Dark ruby in colour with a yellow mature edge. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Roses, spring flowers, cream candy, toffee, chocolate, cacao and liquorice in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Lovely body. Rather mature but still with some elegant and delicate tannins and will improve. Balanced and quite attractive with roses, toffee, flowers, cream candy, chocolate, cacao and liquorice in taste and with a delicate, quite long and very attractive finish. | Average score | 15.80 |
| Last tasted | 5th June 2023 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2005 |
| Colour | Still a hint of ruby in colour but also a quite yellow broad edge. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and some elegant spiciness in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 15.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Still a bit immature and will be better but with some lovely tannin. Easy to drink and enjoy today but probably not a long runner Cacao, chocolate and roasted coffee in taste with a rather attractive finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 5th November 2018 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | At the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2007 |
| Colour | Still quite dark in colour with just a hint of an amber rim. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, coffee, spiciness and with a hint of mint in the nose. | Score range | 14.90 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite mature and almost peaking with still some soft tannin and will probably be better. Balanced and lovely to drink and enjoy. Cacao and spiciness in taste with an attractive finish | Average score | 15.45 |
| Last tasted | 4th March 2017 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At the Port Wine Fair in Roskilde, Denmark
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2011 |
| Colour | Black in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Mulberry, dark berry and black cherry in the nose | | |
| Taste | Medium body. Lots of tannin. Mulberry in taste. Hard to appreciate today but very promising and interesting. Long and tannic finish. Will be lovely to follow. | | |
| Last tasted | 3rd November 2014 | Rating this date | Very Good/ Impressive |
| Comment | At the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2012 |
| Colour | Still quite dark ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Mulberry, spring flowers and some coffee in the nose. | Score range | 15.00 - 15.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite light tannins and very easy to like, drink and enjoy! Mulberry, spring flowers and roses in taste. Balanced and quite complex with a nice finish. | Average score | 15.17 |
| Last tasted | 2nd March 2019 | Point this date | 15.00 |
| Comment | At the Port Wine Fair in Roskilde, Denmark
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2014 |
| Colour | Dark ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Spring flowers, plum, candy, dark berry and sweet jam in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Medium body. Still tannin of course but easy to drink and enjoy. Balanced, very elegant and complex. Sweet. Mulberry and candy in taste. Lovely and attractive finish. | | |
| Last tasted | 5th November 2018 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
| Comment | At the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2016 |
| Colour | Lovely ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Spring flowers, roses, mulberry, dark berry and quite minty in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Medium body. Immature of course but balanced and very easy to drink and like already today. Flowers and mint in taste with a quite nice finish. | | |
| Last tasted | 2nd March 2019 | Rating this date | Very Good |
| Comment | At the Port Wine Fair in Roskilde, Denmark.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2017 |
| Colour | Ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Some green stems, some flowers, a hint of spiciness and of course dark berries in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Medium body Balanced with spring flowers, mulberry and fruit in the mouth. Easy to enjoy and with a quite long finish. | | |
| Last tasted | 29th February 2020 | Rating this date | Very Good |
| Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Fair in Roskilde, Denmark.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2018 |
| Colour | Very dark ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Dark berries such as mulberry, dark cherry, black berry, pepper, some herbs and loaded with fruit in the nose | Score range | 15.50 - 15.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Very attractive tannins and easy to drink and enjoy. Balanced but quite dry but tasty with dark berries, pepper and herbs in the mouth. A quite elegant and rather long finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 4th March 2023 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Fair in Roskilde, Denmark.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2019 |
| Colour | Dark ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Dark berries such as mulberry, blackberry and fruit in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Medium body. Round tannins and will of course be better but is very easy to drink and enjoy already today. Very modern port in style. Balanced and an acceptable finish but maybe a little short. | | |
| Last tasted | 4th March 2023 | Rating this date | Good |
| Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Fair in, Roskilde, Denmark
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 2020 |
| Colour | Dark ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Dark berries such as dark cherry and black berry with mature fruit in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Medium body. Lots of round and promising tannins and will improve a lot. Balanced. Quite exciting, rather complex and very elegant finish. Looking forward to try this port again. | | |
| Last tasted | 4th March 2023 | Rating this date | Very Good/Impressive |
| Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Fair in, Roskilde, Denmark
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |