“This old vine wine is a grand expression of the Baga grape. It has dark color and rich tannins that will allow its bold berry fruit to age well. A serious, stylish wine, it’s worth aging and drinking from 2019.”
— Wine Enthusiast, May 2017

“The 2013 Vinhas Velhas de Santa Maria (Quinta de Foz de Arouce) is all Baga (mostly, although the winery tends to add a small dollop of Touriga Nacional, about 5%), aged for 12 months in new French barriques. It comes in at 14% alcohol. This has been seen before, but I wanted to check in on it. Time has improved this. Elegant and nicely constructed, it still shows that crisp edge, but the fruit has risen up to balance it. It isn't just about Baga tartness now. The mid-palate finesse is exceptional. It does still tighten with aeration, but it shows well now. You might even approach it now, although giving it a couple of more years would very much help. It is a perfect food wine with a cool climate feel. Sourced from vines more than 100 years old, this is not the best ever Vinhas Velhas, but it has become a very nice one.”
— Wine Advocate, Aug 2017