Legado (meaning ‘legacy’) is undoubtedly one of Portugal’s finest single-vineyard wines. First produced in the 2008 vintage, Legado is made in tiny quantities – no more than 3,000 bottles per year by winemaker Luís Sottomayor, who also makes the fabled Douro red Barca-Velha. It is the late Fernando Guedes’ tribute to everything he learnt from his father, the founder of Sogrape, and the legacy he wanted to leave for future generations. Think of it as Barca Velha’s 1^st cousin, but, for now at least, it is available at less than half of the price. Until recently, every bottle of this wine was reserved for the Portuguese market, but I am delighted to offer a small quantity now at the best price on the worldwide market - £225 IB per bottle (only otherwise available in Portugal, where the best listing i can find is just short of £300 per bottle!)
 
The grapes are sourced from an eight-hectare plot of 100-year-old vines planted in stone-walled terraces on the Quinta do Caêdo estate in the Cima Corgo. These pre-phylloxera vines are incredibly low-yielding, with some producing just one bunch of grapes per vintage, yet the fruit is hugely concentrated and packed full of flavour. Respecting the natural ecosystem of the vineyard, horses are used to plough the narrow terraces, promoting microbial growth in the soil and removing weeds in the process.
 
A field blend of over 25 different grape varieties, Legado blends well-known varieties such as Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca, alongside others such as Donzelinho, Tinta da Barca, Rufete, Tinta Amarela, and some very rare varieties that winemaker Luís Sottomayor had never even heard of. Following the careful hand harvesting, grapes are fermented in stainless steel and spend 30 months ageing in new 1,200-litre French oak barrels.

Tasting through every vintage from 2008 to 2017 in April 2022, Jancis Robinson called Legado "A demonstration of the often-unrealised potential in Portugal's Douro Valley....without doubt a very special wine... though for now cheaper than the much more established Barca Velha. "

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"Since its first edition, Legado has become a living tribute to the dream of Fernando Guedes, who envisioned this wine as a homage to the Douro, the family’s winemaking tradition, and the passing of wisdom between generations. The 2019 vintage has just been released to the market.

A story of passion, tradition, and vision was born on a hillside covered with century-old vineyards, at Quinta do Caêdo. Although Legado’s origin dates back to 2008, its roots reach far deeper into the past. This was a wine that took time to come into existence!

Fernando Guedes represents the second generation of the Guedes family at the helm of Sogrape, and with Legado, he sought to embody the values and knowledge inherited over a lifetime. As one of the first three Portuguese winemakers (1956), fascinated by traditions and narratives, and deeply devoted to his family, he dreamed of a wine capable of capturing the essence of the Douro and transmitting the values of a family business deeply rooted in this land. Thus, Legado was born—a terroir wine that honors the past while toasting to the future.

For Fernando da Cunha Guedes, current President of Sogrape and son of Legado’s creator, the introduction of each new vintage is a solemn moment: "Legado stands as a witness to my father’s vision and values, as well as to his passion for life and wine. With each bottle of Legado, we celebrate the past, live the present, and inspire future generations to follow this path of wisdom and dedication."

At the heart of Legado lies Quinta do Caêdo, a true viticultural treasure with 8 hectares of century-old vineyards planted on small pre-phylloxera terraces that seem to challenge time and gravity. Over 25 different grape varieties coexist in this natural amphitheater, creating a living museum of the Douro viticulture, where every vine tells a story.

The care and preservation in these vineyards represent acts of respect for tradition and for the land. Each year, horses with plows traverse the terraces, aerating the soil and removing weeds in an entirely organic process, preserving the balance of this ecosystem, and respecting the natural cycle of the vineyard. The completely manual harvest follows this same respect and care, with grapes picked in several stages to ensure that each variety reaches its optimal point of ripeness.

In 2019, a viticulture year marked by extraordinary weather conditions, this prudence was reflected even more profoundly in the quality of the grapes, resulting in an exceptional wine.

Deep ruby colored, the 2019 Legado vintage immediately delights the senses. On the nose, it is intense and complex, with notes of ripe black fruits harmoniously intertwined with balsamic hints of heather and resin. There are also nuances of sous-bois and spices that speak of the ancient land where vineyards grow. On the palate, it provides a delightful experience of texture and flavor. Dense and full-bodied, it showcases exceptionally high-quality tannins, balanced by a refreshing acidity. Flavors of black fruits, spices, and truffle unfold on the palate, culminating in a long and elegant finish that leaves a lasting memory.

With only around 2,600 bottles produced, Legado is more than a rare wine—it is a masterpiece dreamed of by Fernando Guedes and a symbol of Sogrape's ongoing commitment to excellence." (https://sogrape.com/press/legado-2019-douro-tinto-doc)