Peter Maude Fine Wines

2019, Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage PORT wine

$122

A blend of 35% Touriga Nacional, 33% Touriga Franca, 18% Alicante Bouschet, 8% vinha velha (field blend) and 6% Tinta Amarela.

The 2019 growing season had a little over 50% of the average winter rainfall in the Douro and almost none in the summer. Fortunately, showers at the end of August helped the grapes achieve balance. Head Winemaker, Charles Symington, exercised patience and precisely timed the picking over six weeks – making it one of the longest harvests in recent years. The reward was a collection of perfectly ripe grape varieties in good quantities (averaging 1.27 kg/vine) delivering lively and exuberant wines.

Very deep inky black colour; closed and dense on the nose, underlying restrained plummy opulence and ripeness which opened up after a week or so on ullage; rich, suave and velvety initially on the palate with full, ripe tannins building steadily in the mouth leading to a big, ripe, supple finish. Complete. 95/100, Richard Mayson, Decanter.

The 2019 Quinta do Vesuvio comes from a vineyard with a north-facing exposure and foot-trodden. The wine is quite high-toned on the nose with black cherries, blueberry, crushed violet, quince jelly and truffle aromas, a hint of smoke in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, a little angular upon first pouring, though coalescing in the glass. Black pepper and touches of sage furnish the finish that gently fans out, although one gets the impression that it is holding something back. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050. 92, Neil Martin, Vinous.

Drinking Window 2034 - 2060.

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