Verkoop Vista Allegre Vintage Port 2007
An exceptional year where the weather was a good ally to the work of wine growers and wine producers to produce some special wines. January began with the uncertain time that has characterized the past few years, with a rainfall of only 4 mm. February was also little prodigal in rain, as March and April. However, October and November 2006 were months of much rain. Consequently, the growing season began early, with the thorn in the vineyards starting March 15, at least two weeks ahead of normal. The weather continued mild during the month of April, again with “a clear sky, blue, with an even more resplendent Douro, with flowering vines filling the landscape with its green frame, where the beauty of wild flowers completed the painting”.
Flowering began on middle of May, at the same time as the previous year but still much earlier than in 2004 and 2005. The fruit set took place around the 3rd week of May. But during this month the weather was not spring in the Douro, with cloudy sky and rain, which caused a certain “desavinho” (poor fruit set).
June was definitely not a typical month, with much rain in the middle of the month. This lead to fungal and other secondary contaminants.
More cautious farmers that diagnosed correctly the problems of their vineyards, had little problems, but obviously suffered some losses. July brought yet more rain on 15 and 16, further complicating the situation of those who trust in luck. Temperatures dropped sharply on days 23 and 24, exactly when a wave of very bad weather swept the north of the Iberian Peninsula.
Due to the long cold, the “painter” insisted on not arriving (when the grapes go from green to red). Usually the grapes start to change colour from the second half of July, but this year the berries remained green until the beginning of August. This month, was again mild, there was not the usual summer heat wave. At the end of August, the polyphenolic development reached high levels, unusual around the 20th of August.
This was a clear indicator that this year could be very special. On days 25 and 26, there was 15 mm of rain, which was a bonus for a fruit already in perfect condition to be harvested. The moderate temperatures of July and August, combined with good soil moisture, provided a good acidity, bunches with ideal size, with relatively tender skins, with excellent potential for the extraction of colour. The maturation progressed very favourably.
September started with a perfect weather but there were heavy lightning in the valley, during the night of Sunday 16th September. Fortunately, the weather remained mild and stable, with cloudless skies and lower temperatures.
The harvest, as expected, began in mid-September, about 10 days later than usual. As a result of cool temperatures, there was a special concern to start harvesting considering the selection of grape varieties in order to obtain robust wines, structured, balanced in sugar and acidity with an ideal polyphenolic maturity, leading to ripe and sweet tannins on the palate; achieving Lots extremely elegant and aromatic.
Grapes reached the winery in optimum conditions. In the last days of September, the sky was gray with very serious threats of rain, with some drizzle here and there. Fortunately, on 2 October the sky cleared and the weather remained good until the end of harvest.
2007 Vintage Port
An excellent Vintage, from Quinta da Vista Alegre as well as Quinta de Valle Longo.
In fact, an outstanding Vintage in the Douro which proved one of the exceptional years where the weather, combined with the work of the viticulturists and the winemakers, produced stunning wines - General declaration.
Drinking Status
These wines can be drunk young by those who enjoy a more fruit driven style, but will also age superbly over the decades to come.
Tasting Notes
The 2007’s are superbly balanced. The cooler than usual summer led to a long and even maturation, resulting in grapes with soft ripe skins and excellent acidity. The wines show great colour (due to the soft skins) and the aromas are intense, with violet and raspberry notes. The palate is perfectly balanced, with rich fruit and elegant tannins leading to a very long and complex finish.
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Vintage port 2007
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