Quinta do Vesuvio, 2015 Vintage Port
Vintage Port, Douro Magnum Presented in Wooden Gift Case ***95 Points- James Suckling*** ***18.5 Points- Jancis Robinson***
Bottle size: 150cl
ABV: 20%
Price:
$227.35 USD
Description
The 2015 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port Wine was announced by The Symington family, as a prime example of their Vintage Ports from its magnificent estate in the remote upper reaches of the Douro Valley. This is a limited bottling of just 1,001 cases: 11,400 bottles (75cl), 288 Magnums and 9 Double Magnums.
Quinta do Vesuvio is located in the Douro Superior, the demarcated region’s hottest and driest subregion with just 470 mm average annual rainfall. The property’s sheer size (326 hectares) and mountainous terrain result in varied aspects, predominantly north and northwest, as it occupies a south bank position along the Douro River. The vineyards are laid out along varying altitudes, ranging from 110 metres up to almost 500 metres above sea level. These two variables are important features of the property’s terroir; combined they shield the vineyard from excessive heat.
These characteristics were important during the growing season in 2015, which was simultaneously the hottest and driest of the previous 36 years. It was the hottest month of June recorded in half a century. However, the Douro Superior was better placed than other areas of the Douro insofar as — unusually — the region benefited from more rain than the Cima Corgo and Baixo Corgo. This rainfall came when it was most needed during the month of May, just as temperatures began to soar. At Vesuvio, 27 mm of rain was recorded on just one day, the 4th of May — the average for the whole month there is 38.4 mm. Thus, Vesuvio and other neighbouring Douro Superior properties were better placed to withstand the drought, which persisted during the remainder of the spring and throughout the summer.
This is for 1 x Magnum (1.5ltr)
Winemakers: Charles Symington and Bernardo Nápoles
“Expectations were high and these were confirmed (…) This water [rainfall of the 15th] was excellent to refresh the vines and hydrate the plants (…) As the vintage progressed, it became apparent with the picking of the Touriga Nacional and Sousão parcels just how beneficial that one day’s rain had been. Towards the end of the vintage the Touriga Franca also showed fantastic structure, with generous colour and aromas.” Bernardo Nápoles, Quinta do Vesuvio, October 10th, 2015.
Condition
Excellent
Reviews
***95 Points, James Suckling***
Extremely aromatic with violet, blackberry and blueberry character. Full body, beautiful center palate and length. Tight and focused. Goes on for minutes. Super quality. Try from 2026 onward.
*Jamessuckling.com*
A powerhouse of a wine with fresh, dark fruit aromas, rounded off with some lovely esteva (rockrose) and violets fragrance. Taught and muscular in the mouth with good grip from the schist tannins. Long and intense with superb structure.
* From cask samples, Symington tasting room, March 2017*
***18.5 Points- Jancis Robinson***
From 140 out of 400 ha of lots planted – varietally, not field blends – when they bought it in 1989. One of the Ferreiras planted monovarietal blocks in the 1970s so they have some of the Douro’s oldest monovarietal blocks. Touriga Franca responds best to vine age. 60% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca and 10% Sousão. North-facing vineyards, so very good in 2015. All foot trodden – very unusual! 1,000 cases.
Blackish purple. Very exciting and heady nose. Extremely luscious nose – pure hedonistic pleasure! Massively ripe nose and then rigorous palate. Cool finish. Such energy and minerally finish. The sweetest wine in this collection but so much tannin that you don’t really see it. So complex and clean. Lots of tannins!