Vasques de Carvalho Vintage 2019 Port

€ 75.00

2019, lively and exuberant. An erratic growing season which came good in the end. After a dry winter and almost no rain over the summer months, the year was saved by the complete absence of extreme heat. Light rain at the end of August, again on the equinox and finally in mid-October, helped to swell the grapes and contributed to even ripening. The late-ripening Touriga Franca grape (often not picked until well into October) performed particularly well. Picking took place over six weeks, making this one of the longest harvests in recent years – in complete contrast to 2020.

Very dark in color, almost black. Clear aroma of blackberries, black currants and cherries. Powerful taste with a nice balance between sweet and sour. Tannins that are supple and not too pronounced, but just enough to stand out and that is very nice. A classic and unforgettable vintage

Food-Pairing

This port is delicious with foie gras, certain cheeses (Gorgonzola, Roquefort), as an aperitif or as dessert wine

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela, Alicante Bouschet, Sousão

Bottled in May 2021 after 12 months in large 6,000 liter wooden casks followed by 7 months in stainless steel casks

Alcohol content

19,5 %vol

Store & Serve

This Vasques de Carvalho vintage 2019 is a port wine with a long storage potential. Leave it dark and cool, and you have a port that can mature for the next 30-40 years. Serve 16-18°C. Must be decanted 6 to 12 hours in advance.

Critics & Awards

18/20 - Grandes Escolhas Tasted: Dec 2021

Port Vintage Years

The earliest harvest on record in 2017 followed a growing season of drought and high temperatures, the resultant wines being very concentrated with good structure. 2016 has been a tricky vintage for the growers but ultimately they have been rewarded with super wines with elegance and freshness, good enough to make some growers think twice about a general declaration in 2015 whose wines look very good in their own right. In 2013 the single quintas are fresh with lively fruit character. 2012 is a great single quinta vintage which produced elegant wines with balance and poise. 2011 has produced fabulous wines with freshness and a fruit style which will make them great drinking throughout their evolution. 2009, by contrast, is about power, density and longevity. The 2007 vintage was more elegant with great concentration, length and purity. The very hot summer of 2003 delivered super ripe, intense wines. The Millennium vintage of 2000 was wonderfully rich and ripe, approachable in style but worth keeping. 1997 was widely declared and rightly praised but still a little backward. Wines from the 1994 vintage remain backward due to their intensity. 1992 is also for the long-term, currently quite closed. The concentrated wines of 1991 are still for keeping, though Ports from the lighter houses are just beginning to emerge. The wines of the bountiful 1985 vintage have a great balance of power with sweetness and are drinking now. The appealing style of the 1983s makes them perfect for current drinking. The wines of the 1980 vintage too are much under-rated and very pure. The 1977s, undoubtedly one of the great vintages, have matured well and are firmly in their drinking window, whilst the initially structured wines of 1970 have proved themselves worth the wait and are now at their peak. Lucky indeed are those still fortunate enough to have some 1966s, 1963s, 1960s and 1955s!

Tags: Vasques de Carvalho - vintage port 2016