Vasques de Carvalho Vintage 2016 Port

€ 62.00

The year 2016 was a year of extreme climatic conditions. A cold wet spring during the delicate bud-break season significantly reduced yields but increased concentration. Ripening slowed down due to a heatwave in August and September which was finally broken by rainfall events late August and early September. These conditions resulted in exceptional Ports, in terms of structure, fruit and acidity. The Vasques de Carvalho Vintage port is the result of careful selection of grapes at the peak maturation conveying all the genuine essence and potential expected of a vintage port.

A dark ruby colour it is a port of great volume and intensity. Fresh with juicy acidity and fine, polished tannins it is full of ripe fruit, with notes of pepper and bitter chocolate with an intense and vibrant finish. 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 July 2018 after 12 months in large wooden barrels or toneis (6,000 litres) followed by 7 months in stainless steel

Alcohol content

19,5 %vol

Store & Serve

Serve at 16 °C. Must be opened 6 to 24h in advance

Vintage port wine can not remain open for a long time, because it oxidizes faster. After opening, maximum 2 days shelf life

Critics & Awards

4,2/5 - Vivino 417 reviews

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