Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port 2007
Quinta de Vargellas, located in the remote eastern reaches of the Douro Valley, is Taylor’s flagship property, recognised as one of the world’s great vineyard estates. Acquired by the firm in 1893, its reputation as a source of the finest ports dates back to the 1820’s.
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. The 2007 was only the fifth Vinha Velha vintage ever to be released and only 3,600 bottles were made, or less than five ‘pipes’. 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.
Vargellas Vinha Velha may well be the most elusive and collectible of all Vintage Ports. The 2007 was only the fifth Vinha Velha vintage ever to be released and only 3,600 bottles were made, or less than less than five ‘pipes’. 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 quite 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 wine maker David Guimaraens put it: “The remarkable characteristic of the Vinha Velha Vintage Ports is their multi-dimensional complexity and their distinctive and subtle personality. This derives from the rich diversity of grape varieties planted on these old terraces, many of which are traditional varieties not widely used today”.
Commenting on the release of the 2007 Vinha Velha, Managing Director Adrian Bridge commented: “2007 was a remarkable year for the old vines at Vargellas. Generally speaking these provide the lowest yields, typically less than half the average for the estate. However the 2007 harvest followed four dry years from which the water table had not yet recovered. As a result the old vines, with their extensive root system, were more productive than many of the younger vineyards.” David Guimaraens added: “2007 was a year in which all grape varieties performed well and in which the relatively cool ripening season encouraged the expression of varietal character. As a result the 2007 Vinha Velha is beautifully balanced and complete.”
Not surprisingly the Vargellas Vinha Velha has been one of the most highly rated of the 2007’s and has been acclaimed as ‘the Port of the vintage’ by the Wine Spectator. Now sold out from Taylor’s own cellars, availability is limited to distributor and trade stocks. Anyone wishing to acquire some of this very rare vintage port should contact their fine wine merchant without delay.
300 cases made