(Port) Wine of the month January 2022: 4 DECADES QUINTA DO VESUVIO

One of my happy places in the Valley, breathtaking views, a railway station just for the Quinta and stunning lagares. Within very few decades under Symington’s ownership the reputation of the once prestigious Quinta do Vesuvio skyrockets again to become one of the top-tiers in the Douro Valley. With some 140 hectares under vine, the main objective of the viticulturalists and enologists is to preserve the characteristics of the many microclimates of this huge estate. Nothing beats success as Symington and his winemaking team put fantastic Ports into the bottle and even in off-years Vesuvio Vintage Ports show very well. Since 1989 all years except the disastrous 1993, 2002 and 2014 were bottled. The best of the 4 was the 1999: Still almost completely opague violet-black colour. Seductive floral-spicy bouquet, balanced and structured with tobacco and violets. Floral-fruity palate with noticable tannins and supporting acidity. Chocolate, tobacco and violets. Long aftertaste. 17+/20