Touriga Nacional is one of the two most important grape varieties for the Vesuvio red wine. These vines are grown in the Quinta Nova vineyard located at 450 metres altitude, with a fine westerly aspect. This area of the estate was acquired for Vesuvio by Dona Antonia Ferreira in the mid-19th century. Little can she have imagined how valuable these high vineyards would be for the estate’s red wines in the 21st century.   An unseasonably warm winter and unseasonably cool spring — both exceptionally wet — were followed by one of the hottest summers on record. However, by the end of August 40% more accumulated rainfall than the 30-year average had been recorded in the Douro and these water reserves attenuated the effects of the very hot and dry summer. Some timely rain fell over two days in late August, refreshing the vines straining from the heat and putting maturations back on track. Phenolic ripeness was reached with relatively low Baumés, proving excellent for balanced, elegant wines. The only rainfall in September at Quinta do Vesuvio was concentrated in two consecutive days, the 12th and 13th, and was to prove decisive for the very favourable outcome of the vintage. Furthermore, with this rain (11.4 mm) came more moderate daytime and nighttime temperatures — a perfect scenario for the final stage of ripening of the Touriga Nacional and the Touriga Franca at Vesuvio. Fortunately, although cooler, the weather continued sunny and dry for the remainder of the vintage and the grapes harvested were in excellent condition.   Exquisite floral bouquet with a scent of roses rising from the glass as well as exceptionally fresh and pure red fruit notes. There is also a lovely fragrance of Mediterranean vegetation which is often present in the wines from Vesuvio. The wine is pure seduction on the palate with expressive, yet wonderfully rounded fruit — the understated schist tannins underpinning the beautifully crafted structure. Elegant and polished, a remarkable Vesuvio, reminiscent of the debut 2007.