2019 Quinta do Vesuvio

The 2019 Vintage Port is a blend of 35% Touriga Nacional, 33% Touriga Franca, 18% Alicante Bouschet, 8% old vines in a field blend and a dollop of Tinta Amarela for the rest. Bottled in May 2021, this comes in with 105 grams of residual sugar. A couple of hours of aeration brings this to a pretty good place but makes it seem fairly understated, perhaps to a fault. The concentration and structure are average. It's still very good, and as it is Quinta do Vesúvio, it always delivers some flavor and sex appeal, but this doesn't seem to be a great vintage here. It still tastes great and has some potential for development. There were 1,640 cases produced. This is being released now, unlike most of the Symington Ports this issue.

The 2019 Quinta do Vesuvio comes from a vineyard with a north-facing exposure and foot-trodden. The wine is quite high-toned on the nose with black cherries, blueberry, crushed violet, quince jelly and truffle aromas, a hint of smoke in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, a little angular upon first pouring, though coalescing in the glass. Black pepper and touches of sage furnish the finish that gently fans out, although one gets the impression that it is holding something back. One for more patient Port-lovers. 770 cases produced (13 pipes)