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2007 Vintage Port Offer

2007 Port Offer

Introduction

Port vintages are declared on average three times a decade. While port is rather less fashionable than it used to be, it is still one of the great vinous pleasures and we are thrilled by the quality of this Vintage following our recent tastings from all the major shippers. In our offer we have assembled the wines which we believe have succeeded in capturing the true character of the Vintage. There are a few obvious names missing from our Offer. The reason is simple – we didn’t feel they were good enough.

Having a little Port in any cellar still remains a pre-requisite in our opinion, and 2007 will sit very well. This Vintage is marked by wonderful freshness and vibrancy and full, ripe sweet fruit matched with acidity and structure to provide longevity. It should be noted that volumes are significantly lower than 2003 and so allocation is likely to be fairly keen. Our top pick for the vintage is the Graham’s, while the Smith Woodhouse stands out as really excellent value.

Where does this vintage sit versus previous years? In Derek Smedley MW’s opinion, comparisons are difficult. It is, in his view, better than 1970 and 1977, as good as 1994 and close to 1955 which he first tasted in 1961, not quite straight after bottling but still in its youth. He goes on to say, “The year has produced one of the most exciting vintages since the war. The wines are sleek and elegant, they lack the puppy fat of hotter years and they have polished precise tannins yet ones that have grip pointing to a long life. The fruit has real purity, richness and depth with an exciting complexity coming from the mix of red and black fruits.Many of the wines are silk gloves on first look but inside the glove is the iron fist ensuring long life.” This says to us, it’s a very good year.

2007 Vintage report

As often happens in Vintage years, the climate in the Duoro in 2006/2007 was not a text book example of what one might expect from a year that has produced such outstanding wines. Heavy rains in November and February were followed by further rainfall during the Spring and into early June. These humid conditions produced heavy vegetation giving rise to the threat of fungus and parasites during flowering. Careful control was required. The summer was hot and dry although August was cooler than usual, ideal for the development of good acidity. The dry weather continued through the harvest. Picking started on 14^th September with Churchill picking first, with Warre’s being the last to start in the last week of September.

Tasting Notes

Churchill

The nose is inky black, a mix of elderberry and sloe spiced up by coffee beans. Powerful fruit packs out the palate, cassis and sloe very much in evidence both underpinned by fresher elderberry and bilberry. The tannins are very firm encircling the fruit and tending to close down the finish at this stage

DS 88-91 Drink 2025-40

Dow

The nose is very rich packed with powerful black fruits enriched by liquorice. The mid palate has the freshness of red currant balancing the powerful black. The polished tannins whilst giving structure do not overpower or hold back the fruit.

DS 93-96 Drink 2026-45

Fonseca

The nose has depth of fruit and this richness is there fleshing out the palate. Blackberry is enriched by cassis and black liquorice refreshed by some currant and cherry. The tannins have power but are polished ensuring that there is sleekness and elegance.

DS 93-97 Drink 2030-50

Graham

It is wonderfully rich first ripe blackberry then cassis all backed by liquorice and eucalyptus. The fruit on the palate is powerful, enriched by dark chocolate and given a wonderful complexity by the mix of black fruits. The balance seems near perfect and the finish is sleek, refined and elegant

DS 95-99 Drink 2030-50

Smith Woodhouse

This is very typical of the Smith style. More red fruit influences on the nose but the palate is packed with bilberry and blackberry. The tannins are firm and give support to the ripe fruit; fleshy cassis shows towards the back although right on the finish, cherry and raspberry ensure brightness.

DS 90-93 Drink 2020-40

Taylor

Violets are the predominant perfume on the nose with behind them a mix of black fruits, blackberry and bilberry. The palate is packed with powerful chewy fruit, all very concentrated. The tannins feel firm and give structure supporting the ripe fleshy fruit.

DS 93-96 Drink 2030-50

Warre

Violets and dried flowers overlay the black fruits on the nose. Blackcurrant and bramble underpinned by sloe give a seductive richness and this is emphasised by the dark chocolate and liquorice. The mid palate is dense packed with fruit power. The polished tannins all add to the seductive feel and the elegance of the finish.

DS 95-98 Drink 2030-50

Pricing

(6x75cl in Wooden Case In Bond lying in London City Bond)

*Name*	*DS Score*	*2007 per case of 6*	*2003 Current Price per case*	*Quantity Required*
Churchill	88-91	£175.00	£200
Dow	93-96	£185.00	£200
Fonseca	93-97	£205.00	£270
Graham	95-99	£210.00	£275
Smith Woodhouse	90-93	£137.50	£170
Taylor	93-96	£212.50	£350
Warre	95-98	£170.00	£220

Terms and Allocation

The wines are offered In Bond in London. Allocation will be confirmed in September/October 2009 and payment is requested on 30 days of the invoice date. Delivery is will be in Spring 2010. Duty, VAT and delivery will be charged at the time of shipment.

Order Confirmation