“…anyone with an interest in superbly made top-quality red wine worth ageing for decades should arguably turn their backs on Bordeaux 2012 and look instead at Port 2011…""
Jancis Robinson, 2013.
Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port 2011
The wines of Quinta de Vargellas traditionally form the ‘backbone’ of the Taylor Vintage Port blend. This outstanding estate, recognised as one of the world’s finest vineyards, was acquired by Taylor in 1893 although its reputation as a source of the finest ports dates back to the 1820’s. Located in the remote eastern reaches of the Douro Valley, Vargellas is known for its elegant, scented wines, with their fine focused fruit and well integrated sinewy tannins. It is also known as a source of one of the rarest and most collectible vintage ports of all, Vargellas Vinha Velha.
Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha is a very rare Vintage Port made in tiny quantities from a selection of the very oldest vines on the Vargellas estate. Vinha Velha, pronounced vinya velya and meaning ‘old vineyard’, is the name given to the ancient terraced plots on which these old vines are grown. See 'Vineyards' below for more details.
Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha is a very rare Vintage Port made in tiny quantities from a selection of the very oldest vines on the Vargellas estate. Vinha Velha, pronounced vinya velya and meaning ‘old vineyard’, is the name given to the ancient terraced plots on which these old vines are grown. See 'Vineyards' below for more details.
Vargellas Vinha Velha may well be the most elusive and collectible of all Vintage Ports. Only six Vinha Velha vintage ports have been released to date and the 2011 will be the seventh. Vinha Velha Vintage Ports are sold on strict allocation and, to allow the very restricted quantities to be as widely distributed as possible, is shipped only in cases of three bottles.
The character of the Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Ports is unique and their interest to collectors lies, not only in their superb quality and rarity, but also in the fact that they represent a piece of Port history, the expression of an ancient terroir whose characteristics are unlikely ever to be exactly reproduced.
As usual, the 2011 Vinha Velha represents a selection of fruit from the very oldest vines grown on the five plots which together make up the ‘old vineyard’ at Quinta de Vargellas.
2011 will be remembered for its text book viticultural year.Commenting on the release of the 2011 Vinha Velha, David Guimaraens, Taylor’s Winemaker, commented: “The excellent ripening conditions in 2011 ensured good levels of consistency across the different grape varieties. This meant that the varietal diversity of the old vineyard at Vargellas was able to express itself to the full. As a result, the 2011 Vinha Velha has a wonderful complexity, delivering multiple layers of aroma and flavour.”
Taylor’s Managing Director, Adrian Bridge, added: ‘The results on the old vineyard at Quinta da Vargellas were particularly impressive and we have decided to bottle a 2011 Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port which, as in the past, is drawn from a rigourous selection of grapes from the very oldest vines on the property. The release will be good news for collectors, although as usual the quantities produced are very limited.”
A limited release of Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2011 Vintage Port will be bottled later in 2013. The wine will be shipped in cases of 3 bottles.
As usual, the 2011 Vinha Velha represents a selection of fruit from the very oldest vines grown on the five plots which together make up the ‘old vineyard’ at Quinta de Vargellas.
2011 will be remembered for its text book viticultural year.Commenting on the release of the 2011 Vinha Velha, David Guimaraens, Taylor’s Winemaker, commented: “The excellent ripening conditions in 2011 ensured good levels of consistency across the different grape varieties. This meant that the varietal diversity of the old vineyard at Vargellas was able to express itself to the full. As a result, the 2011 Vinha Velha has a wonderful complexity, delivering multiple layers of aroma and flavour.”
Taylor’s Managing Director, Adrian Bridge, added: ‘The results on the old vineyard at Quinta da Vargellas were particularly impressive and we have decided to bottle a 2011 Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port which, as in the past, is drawn from a rigourous selection of grapes from the very oldest vines on the property. The release will be good news for collectors, although as usual the quantities produced are very limited.”
A limited release of Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2011 Vintage Port will be bottled later in 2013. The wine will be shipped in cases of 3 bottles.
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TASTING NOTES
Intense purple black colour. As usual with Vinha Velha the wine delivers multiple layers of aroma and flavour. The nose is marked by a complex fruitiness, blending aromas of blackcurrant, plum and blackberry. This is overlaid with nuances of dark chocolate, exotic wood and black pepper and a mantle of delicate floral scent. Although the nose is expressive, there is plenty of depth and background hinting at aromas still to emerge with time. The palate is in perfect balance and supported by a dense weave of sinewy tannin. A burst of fresh berry fruit flavour lingers on the finish.
Jancis Robinson, www.purplepages.com – May 2013
‘may just be the finest wine produced anywhere in the world in 2011’.
‘may just be the finest wine produced anywhere in the world in 2011’...Actually not as deep purple as some. More deep crimson. Complex and wild nose, sort of biodynamic kind of profile. There's something burgundian and devil-may-care about this wine. It's lovely for drinking already. How on earth are they going to persuade people to hang on to it?? The sort of singer who doesn't obey any rules; just belts it out and doesn’t mind whether the orchestra keeps up or not. Transparent and very distinctive. I'm tempted to give a crazy drinking window.
19.5 points
Neal Martin, Erobertparker.com – May 2013
As a reminder, the Vinha Velha is a selection of old vine fruit from the old vineyards at Vargellas. Comparing it directly with the Taylor’s, there is even more complexity and volume on the nose...
As a reminder, the Vinha Velha is a selection of old vine fruit from the old vineyards at Vargellas. Comparing it directly with the Taylor’s, there is even more complexity and volume on the nose, with blackcurrant, dark plum and a more accentuated crushed stone aroma that lends it wonderful terroir expression. Like the Fonseca, it develops compelling marine scents after 30-40 minutes in the glass, like stepping over rock pools when you were a kid. The palate is medium bodied with sumptuous, sensual ripe tannins that layer the mouth. There is a palpable sense of harmony and composure to this Vinha Velha and there is a lot of horsepower, more so than the Taylor’s, on the multi-dimensional finish. The intensity of fruit means that it does not quite have the same degree of tension as the Taylor’s, but the depth and breadth of this young Port suggest it will be a seriously long-term fortified wine.
96-98 Points
James Suckling, May 2013
Beautiful nose of flowers with plums and cherries; more like a fine table wine on the nose...
Beautiful nose of flowers with plums and cherries; more like a fine table wine on the nose. Full body, medium sweet with super-refined tannins and a long, superb finish. All about finesse here. Only 310 cases produced of this foot-trodden wine from 19th century vines at the Vargellas estate.
96 Points
Wine Spectator
A delicate style, very peppery, featuring lithe flavors of red berry, dark currant and wild plum that are matched with plenty of minerally notes...
A delicate style, very peppery, featuring lithe flavors of red berry, dark currant and wild plum that are matched with plenty of minerally notes. Tar and dark chocolate accents fill the finish, with plenty of grip. Best from 2018 through 2045
96 Points