Vargellas Vinha Velha 2007 Vintage Port
Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port 2007
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.

Vargellas

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.”

Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port 2007

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

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TASTING NOTES
Deep inky colour with magenta rim. Intense, pungent nose of black fruit, dark chocolate and liquorice with great depth and concentration. Layers of flavour assail the senses as the rich dark berry, ripe black plum, blueberry and luscious bitter chocolate almost overwhelm the palate. The tannins are lean, sinewy and perfectly integrated. The wine is clearly of enormous structure, but also so finely balanced the lasting impression is of a wine with great elegance and finesse. A never ending finish completes the picture of a wine that once again promises to be another extraordinary vinha velha from Quinta de Vargellas.
Accolades
Neal Martin, www.erobertparker.com, May 2009
“A deep garnet core, less opaque than the regular Taylors Vintage. There is a real warmth to the nose...”
“A deep garnet core, less opaque than the regular Taylors Vintage. There is a real warmth to the nose, more red-berried fruit than black, raspberry, hot bricks, tertiary and feral. Well defined and very complex. The palate is full-bodied, very sumptuous on the entry with raspberry, cherry, spice, cracked black pepper. Nice weight, quite fleshy towards the finish that has a sedate, elegant quality to it. Very good length. But if push came to shove, I prefer the regular Taylors this year as it seems to have a little more backbone.”
Score 92
James Suckling, Wine Spectator, May 2007
“This is the Port of the vintage. Blackberry and cassis on the nose. Very perfumed and fruity.”
“This is the Port of the vintage. Blackberry and cassis on the nose. Very perfumed and fruity. Some mineral and wet earth underneath. Full-bodied, medium sweet and very chewy, with fabulous tannins and a big mouthfeel. Racy and powerful.”
Score 97-100
Richard Mayson, June 2009 – Score 19
“A tiny quantity from old vines on Taylor’s flagship estate: very fine, dense cherry stone aromas...”
“A tiny quantity from old vines on Taylor’s flagship estate: very fine, dense cherry stone aromas and somehow minerally as well; lovely sweet, seductive flavours, plum and cherry, great purity and definition, ripe vibrant tannins fill the mouth on the finish. Not as big as some but very fine and racy. From 2020”
Score 19
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