Guimaraens 2019
THE YEAR 2019 DISPLAYS ALL THE FINE FRUIT CHARACTER WE EXPECT FROM VINTAGE GUIMARAENS COMBINED WITH A FRESHNESS AND FINESSE TYPICAL OF THE YEAR.
In certain years when there is no classic Fonseca Vintage Port, a Guimaraens Vintage Port may be made instead. Guimaraens Vintage Ports nevertheless share the origins, heritage and complex fruity style of the classic Fonseca vintages and are drawn from the produce of the same three estates. They differ only in that they are more approachable, ready to drink earlier
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BOTTLE LAIN DOWN
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DECANTING RECOMMENDED
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VEGAN
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16ºC - 18 ºC
The Port continues to improve for decades after bottling. The bottle should be kept lain down in a cool place, ideally at a temperature below 16ºC.
Should be decanted before being served. Stand the bottle upright a few hours before decanting to allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle. Pour the wine in a slow, steady stream into a decanter, ensuring that only the clear wine is poured, leaving the sediment behind.
This Port wine is Vegan friendly
The wine benefits from being served between 16ºC to 18ºC.
The Port continues to improve for decades after bottling. The bottle should be kept lain down in a cool place, ideally at a temperature below 16ºC.
Should be decanted before being served. Stand the bottle upright a few hours before decanting to allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle. Pour the wine in a slow, steady stream into a decanter, ensuring that only the clear wine is poured, leaving the sediment behind.
This Port wine is Vegan friendly
The wine benefits from being served between 16ºC to 18ºC.
Tasting Notes
Almost black in the center with a narrow garnet rim. As expected of a Guimaraens Vintage, the complex and intense nose is built around a core of concentrated blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry. As the nose opens, the curtain rises on multiple dimensions of a complex aroma, including savory herbal notes, cedar notes, cigar box and a discreet redolence of roasted coffee. The palate is wonderfully balanced, with plenty of volume and a lively acidity that runs through the mid-palate and into the long finish, lifting the wine and giving it freshness and vigor. The tannins are taut and tightly knit together, providing structure and volume, the finish ends on dense berry berry fruit notes.
Notes on Viticultural Year
After a warm and dry dormant period, the vineyard cycle started slightly early with budbreak occurring on March 9, about a week earlier than usual. Overall, the growing season was drier and cooler than average, although the usual April rains were quite heavy, with about 98 mm of precipitation as the grapes began to color as usual in mid-July.
Although the ripening season began with high temperatures, the weather in the critical month of August was cooler than average, with some precipitation on the 25th and 26th that balanced the ripening of the vintage. The relatively cool conditions and lack of heat spikes translated into the elegance, lively acidity and fresh fruitiness found in the 2019 wines. The harvest of red grapes in the upper Douro began in warm weather on September 4 and in the Pinhão area on September 14. The harvest was perfectly healthy and in excellent condition, although yields were almost a tenth below the 10-year average. The wines were attractively aromatic, with high natural acidity and above normal color intensity.
The harvest started at Quinta do Panascal in the Távora Valley on September 18th and on the 20th at Quinta do Cruzeiro with extraordinarily healthy grapes. The harvest was briefly suspended during a short period of rain on the night of September 21st, 8mm, which was insufficient to interfere with the quality of the wines being made. Perfect weather conditions resumed and the harvest at Quinta do Santo António was postponed until early October. Excellent wines were made until the end of the harvest.
Winemaker's Notes
The warm and dry winter and cool spring conditions led to low yields and plenty of aromatic intensity, to which the cool ripening season added crisp acidity and purity of fruit. The 2019 displays all the fine fruit character that we expect from Guimaraens Vintage Ports combined with an attractive freshness and finesse typical of the year.
Winemaker's Notes
The warm and dry winter and cool spring conditions led to low yields and plenty of aromatic intensity, to which the cool ripening season added crisp acidity and purity of fruit. The 2019 displays all the fine fruit character that we expect from Guimaraens Vintage Ports combined with an attractive freshness and finesse typical of the year.
Guimaraens 2019
Awards & Press Comments
James Molesworth - 94 Points
Wine Spectator
" This has a soft edge to its mix of plum, blackberry and black cherry compote flavors, which are backed by flattering ganache and sweet spice notes. The structure gains traction through the Christmas pudding-driven finish, with extra sweet tobacco and alder hints checking in. This will provide a fun display when it hits its peak. To be released 2030 to 2032. Best from 2038 through 2058. "
