Quinta do Vesuvio 2006 Vintage Port

Harvested in the 250th anniversary of the demarcation of the Douro Region (1756).

In 2006 this great Quinta produced a magnificent total of 684 pipes of excellent Port, all trodden by foot in the traditional manner. Now after 18 months just 20 pipes of the very best wine from an outstanding selection has been selected for bottling as the Quinta’s 2006 Vintage Port. Therefore a total of just 1,250 cases will be available for world markets.

A very hot spring culminated in a severe hail storm in the Pinhão area of the Douro, but Vesuvio merely enjoyed some welcome rain. Touriga Nacional made up 31% of the crop and reacted well to the summer heat, giving an excellent wine as did the Touriga Franca. But even so the vintage was smaller than in preceding years, the overall yield being just 1.12 Kgs per vine.

Picking by hand into small trays began on the 11th September and despite some unsettled days at the end of the month, the vintage progressed satisfactorily until the 6th October. Baumés were perfect at around 13.5˚.

All the Port was made in the stone lagares with a full complement of 40 treaders working the lagares for three hours each evening under the watchful eye of the caseiro Agostinho. The accordion player from São João de Pesqueira helping to keep the rhythm going. Occasionally visitors joined in the treading, although it was noted that few lasted the full 3 hours.

The wine show’s Vesuvio’s classic power with a lovely violet-scented and peppery nose and delicious layers of opulent blackberry fruit within a finely structured tannin framework that ensures very good aging potential. The hot summer of 2006 has added an additional layer of concentration to the traditional Vesuvio velvety richness and depth.

This is a very great Vesuvio Vintage Port.

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