Quinta do Vesuvio, 1996 Vintage Port

Description

1996 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port

Overview:
The 1996 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port is a superb example of this renowned Douro estate's ability to produce powerful and long-lived wines. Quinta do Vesuvio is celebrated for crafting some of the finest single-quinta Vintage Ports, and the 1996 displays the estate's hallmark concentration, depth and structure. Now with nearly three decades of bottle age, the wine is beginning to show the complexity of maturity while retaining the richness and backbone to continue evolving for many years to come.

Appearance:
Deep garnet-ruby in colour with a mature rim, retaining impressive depth and intensity for its age.

Nose:
Rich and complex, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry and plum layered with notes of fig, dark chocolate and sweet spice. With aeration, hints of dried fruits, tobacco, cedar and liquorice emerge, adding further depth and intrigue.

Palate:
Full-bodied and concentrated, offering layers of ripe black fruits, damson and blackcurrant supported by notes of cocoa, spice and dried fig. The wine remains remarkably youthful, with well-integrated tannins providing structure and balance. Its richness is complemented by freshness, creating a harmonious and powerful palate.

Finish:
Long, persistent and satisfying, with lingering dark fruit, chocolate and spice notes carried by a firm yet polished structure.

Decanting:
Stand upright for 48–72 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Decant carefully through a fine strainer and serve at 16–18°C. Allow several hours of aeration before serving to reveal the wine's full complexity.

About Quinta do Vesuvio:
Quinta do Vesuvio is one of the Douro Valley's most iconic estates and has been under the ownership of the Symington family since 1989. Situated in the Upper Douro, the estate is renowned for producing intensely concentrated Vintage Ports from low-yielding vineyards. Traditional foot treading in granite lagares remains an important part of production, helping to create wines of exceptional richness, structure and longevity.

Condition

Excellent condition