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Wine Description
The Story
A blend of more than 25 different traditional Douro grape varieties, predominately Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, but also Rufete, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Francisca, Sousão, e many other, all proceeding from old vines and more recent plantations of Quinta Vale D. Maria, vineyards ranging from 25 to 60 years old, and facing South, Southeast, Southwest, East and West. These grapes are the last ones to be picked, and averaged above 15,5° Baumé.
Wine Information
Conditions
The viticulture year of 2009 saw a reasonably dry weather pattern: winter, spring and summer precipitation was 20% to 40% lower than the average for the period 1931/1990. Temperatures were within the average, except for the very cold spells of the beginning of the winter and April, when very low temperatures had an influence in the development of the vines by delaying their normal growth. By the end of August a heat wave speeded up the maturation that underwent under very dry and very hot weather, which caused some vineyards to start suffering some hydric stress. The beginning of September was promising, with mild temperatures and enough humidity for a perfect end of maturation. Picking at Quinta Vale D. Maria took place in the second part of September, as usual, under perfect weather conditions.
Vinification and ageing:
At Quinta Vale D. Maria. Grapes were crushed by foot, before the fermentation, together with 15% of the total grape brandy which would be added to the final Port. This allows us to macerate the grapes at cooler temperatures and for a longer period before fermentation. When the must was ready for the addition of the remaining grape brandy, the fortification is made in one single moment, adding all the brandy to the must and skins in the lagar. Then some more treading ensures good homogenization of the whole wine and that the fermentation is stopped. The blend of must and brandy stays in the lagar for some more two to four days, with very slight treading twice a day (10 minutes each time). It is then racked to the storage vat together with all the press wine (we use traditional basket presses). The wines aged in ancient (more than 100 years old) oak and chestnut wood Port casks and small stainless steel vats, for about 18 months.
Bottling: June 2011, at Quinta Vale D. Maria, in 8.000 75cl bottles and a few Magnums (1,5L).
Notes
Quinta Vale D. Maria 2009 Vintage Port shows an incredibly deep color, violet, dark red and purple, and a tremendous concentration of mature dark red fruit aromas, with its typical dominant note of blackberries, black cherries and plums’ jam, cassis and esteva (rock rose?). Very powerful, though elegant, this 2009 Vintage Port has great balance and finesse and a very long and fruity finish.
