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Wine Description
The Story
This iconic Douro property is recorded as far back as 1565. In the early 19th century the quinta was acquired by António Bernard Ferreira, a well known Port grower and businessman, who began a programme of building and landscaping on an unprecedented scale. Old stone walled terraces were repaired and new ones created, bringing approximately 100 hectares under vine of the 325 (803 acre) hectare property. An adega was built to match the scale of the vineyards: whereas typical lagares (the stone tanks in which grapes are treaded by foot) hold about 12 pipes of port, the eight lagares at Vesuvio each hold 25 pipes of wine (14,000 litres) and require 50 people to tread the grapes.
Ultimately the property passed into the hands of António’s redoubtable daughter in law, Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira. She oversaw the building of the grand estate house and chapel, and thereafter frequently used Quinta do Vesuvio as her principal residence. It was Dona Antónia who bottled and sold the Vesuvio wines under their own name – which was an extraordinary practice in the 19th century – and brought the quinta and its wines into renown. She faced the devastation of phylloxera in the 1870’s, shifting to production of olives, almonds and oranges when the grape crops failed, and kept her labour force further employed with the construction of a 16 km stone wall to encircle the property. As phylloxera came under control, vineyards were replanted with grafted vines, and wine production resumed. Dona Antónia’s descendants continued production at Vesuvio, but blended or sold the wines to other shippers; although the Quinta remained a legend, the wines became less well known.
In 1989 the Symington family acquired the property with the intention to restore the quinta and its wines to their former glory. The house and adega were restored and a massive planting program undertaken which extended the area under vine to 136 hectares, as well as revitalising and re-planting selected existing vineyards. The decision was made to retain the tradition of treading by foot, and to make only Vintage Port – no other Port styles are made under the Quinta do Vesuvio name. If necessary, no Vintage Port will be made when the stringent quality criteria have not been met, as in 1993 and 2002 when weather conditions were a challenge.
Wine Information
The Vintage Port produced at Vesuvio in 2000 is of remarkable quality. We are fortunate that the climatic conditions allowed us to make such a superb wine. However, the year did not start well, not since 1994 have we had such low production. Bad weather in April prevented many of the vine flowers from being fertilised, thus the number of grapes on each vine was very low but the fruit that did ‘set’, ripened under perfect conditions during June through to August. In late August we had two days of rain; this was very welcome and prepared the grapes superbly for harvesting, which began on Thursday 21st September. The average yield was just 720g per vine, but the Baumés were near ideal, with an exceptional 13.4o being achieved by the Touriga Nacional.
Tasting Notes
The 2000 Vesuvio is rich and opulent with the classic nose of ‘violets’. This wine is dark, almost ink-purple. On the palate, the Vesuvio 2000 has layers of rich concentrated fruit, the tannins are strong, but ripe. This is one of Vesuvio’s finest ever wines.
Wine Specifications
Alcohol: 20% vol (20ºC)
Total acidity: 4.3 g/l tartaric acid
Baumé: 3.9
Vintage 2000
The 2000 vintage in Portugal, particularly in the Douro Valley, which is known for its production of Port wines, is considered a very good to excellent vintage. This vintage is often highly regarded for both Port wines and table wines produced in various regions of Portugal. Here are some key characteristics of the Portugal wine vintage 2000:
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Quality: The 2000 vintage is generally regarded as producing high-quality wines. Both Port and table wines from this vintage are often well-balanced and have good structure.
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Port Wines: In the Douro Valley, where Port wines are produced, the vintage 2000 is considered outstanding. The conditions during the growing season were favorable, resulting in grapes with excellent ripeness and concentration.
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Aging Potential: Wines from the 2000 vintage in Portugal, particularly top-quality Ports and red table wines, are known for their aging potential. They can continue to develop and improve with extended cellaring.
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Varietal Characteristics: The vintage expressed the characteristics of traditional Portuguese grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz, with rich fruit flavors and complexity.
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Longevity: Many of the wines from the 2000 vintage are still drinking well today and are considered excellent choices for those seeking mature Portuguese wines.
It's important to note that the quality and characteristics of wines can vary depending on the specific region, producer, and grape varieties used. While 2000 was generally a successful vintage in Portugal, individual wine selections and labels may have their unique qualities and aging potential. As always, for specific wines or producers, it's advisable to consult wine experts, reviews, and recommendations to make informed choices.
