Taylor's - Vintage port 2005
Taylor's heeft 2005 uitgeroepen tot Single Quinta Vintage.
Hieronder volgt het originele bericht zoals wij dat ontvingen:
Taylor releases two 2005 single quinta vintage ports.
Taylor’s has announced the decision to release two 2005 single quinta ports from its estates of Quinta de Vargellas and Quinta de Terra Feita.
Taylor’s Managing Director Adrian Bridge commented:
"The warm summer of 2005 produced wonderful fruit driven vintage ports at both Vargellas and Terra Feita. They are full of classic black fruit flavours.
This is definitely an exciting vintage.”
Quinta de Vargellas is one of the most famous wine estates in the Douro Valley and considered one of the great vineyards of the world.
Located in the remote eastern part of the Upper Douro Valley,
the estate is renowned for its elegant but long
lasting vintage ports, characterized by firm tannins, fine focused fruit
and characteristic floral scent.
Quinta de Terra Feita, located in the Pinhão Valley, is among the oldest of the Douro vineyards. It's full bodied and robust wines contribute, alongside those of Quinta de
Vargellas, to the Taylor’s vintage blend as well as being bottled in certain years as single quinta vintage ports.
Commenting on the 2005 vintage, wine maker David Guimaraens noted:
“2005 will be remembered as a hot and dry year.
However the effects of the drought were offset by rain in early September and by perfect picking conditions.
The crop on all the Taylor estates was one of the healthiest we have seen for
years.”
Notes on the 2005 viticultural year.
The winter preceding the 2005 harvest was extremely cold and dry leaving the reserves of water severely depleted after an already dry and hot 2004.
The growing season started with budburst from about 24th of March, later than usual as a
result of the cold weather and the shortage of water.
The whole growing season was marked by low vigour and small berry size for all grape
varieties. The 100mm of rain that fell in the Spring was fundamental to the growth of the vines at the beginning of the season.
However, it was insufficient to promote vigour or create further water reserves in the
ground. From May 16th until the 6th of September there was no further
rain. This, combined with three distinct heat waves in June, July and the 1st week of August, caused considerable stress to the vines.
Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz were most affected by the exposure to the heat which in some areas resulted in early leaf loss in these varieties.
However, in spite of the extreme heat coupled with the lack of water, the ripening process continued normally, although at a slower pace than usual, and the condition of the grapes across the whole region was the healthiest for many years.
Fortunately the Summer drought conditions were relieved by steady rainfall between 6th and 9th September, with precipitation levels varying between 20mm and 30mm across
the region. This gave the vines the critical relief that enabled them to complete the ripening process and deliver a perfectly ripe and well balanced crop.
Picking started at Quinta de Vargellas on the 12th of September and at Quinta de Terra Feita on the 17th of September. The harvest was remarkable in being carried out in perfect conditions with warm dry weather continuing unbroken until the last grapes had been
picked.
Tasting notes for the Quinta de Vargellas Vintage 2005
Inky black colour with a narrow purple rim. The nose is built on a sturdy foundation of rich and potent blackcurrant, cherry and blackberry aromas interlaced with notes of apricot and plum.
Hints of cedarwood, gumcistus and violet provide the exotic scented dimension which is the
hallmark of Vargellas vintage ports.
On the palate the first impression is supple and restrained but the finish reveals a tightly knit fabric of sinewy tannin and unleashes a powerful surge of rich black fruit
flavour.
Tasting notes for the Quinta de Terra Feita Vintage 2005
Deep purple black colour with magenta highlights.
Classic black fruit aromas of cherry and cassis provide a dense and
impenetrable backdrop for wild scents of mint, resin and gumcistus.
On the palate the same intense black fruit character merges with rich dark
flavours of and liquorice and chocolate.
The tannins are muscular but well integrated and the wine finishes with an explosion of berry fruit and spice.