Quinta da Romaneira Vintage Porto 2017
The 1,100 acre spread of Quinta da Romaneira is widely considered one of the Douro Valley’s most breathtaking estates. The winery began producing port in 1872, but was not legally allowed to bottle under its own name until 1986 when DO changes gave single quintas the authority to do so.
Christian Seely purchased Romaneira in 2004 with plans to put the winery shoulder to shoulder with the Douro’s top names in terms of reputation and quality. Seely and winemaker Antonio Agrellos understand what such ambition means – They are the dynamic duo behind the much celebrated rebirth of another great property, Quinta do Noval (which sits literally next door), which they’ve operated for the past twenty years.
The entire Romaneira vineyard estate is classified “A” (the highest mark that can be obtained in the Douro) and the house focuses almost completely on unfortified dry wines and vintage style port.
The wines of Quinta da Romaneira always have an aromatic intensity that is particular to this great vineyard terroir. This 2017 vintage port wine is seductive, charming and wonderfully expressive, with serious depth and ageing potential.
Vintage Conditions: 2017 was the earliest harvest on record. The growing season was unusually dry and hot, both during spring and summer, with prolonged hot spells during the summer, particularly in June. Rainfall was alarmingly low throughout the year, with a short spell of significant rainfall in early July which certainly did much to help the vines during the hot dry weeks that followed. Volumes were consequently low, and ripeness came early. Harvest began in August and was finished before the end of September. The weather was hot and dry throughout the harvest.
The grapes were trodden by foot in the stainless steel lagares of the winery, and fermented with temperature control at 83°F, where a disciplined and intense treading is fundamental for a good final result. 20 months in the cellars of the Quinta, in the demarcated region of the Douro Valley before bottling. It should age in bottle for 8 to 15 years before attaining the complexity and bouquet characteristic of a Vintage.
Tasting Notes: Deep dark ruby-purple color with intense spicy aromatic personality. Great elegance, pure fruit flavors, fleshy velvety tannins, great power and length and very long finish.
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Varietal Composition | 70% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca |
| Appellation | Douro |
| Designation | Vintage Port |
| Alcohol | 19.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | PORTUGAL |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
Juicy and energetic in feel, this brims with cherry, blackberry and plum compote flavors, backed by red licorice, briar and chocolate notes. The long finish reveals a lush coating around an inner cable of refined tannins. Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. Best from 2035 through 2055. 1,100 cases made, 200 cases imported. - Wine Spectator, 94 pts
Dense and layered with very ripe fruit and beautiful blueberry and blackberry character. Medium sweet. Driven and finely textured. Beautiful wine all around. - James Suckling, 94 pts
The 2017 Vintage Port is mostly Touriga Nacional (70%), with the rest Touriga Franca, aged for 20 months in neutral tonels. It comes in with 89 grams of residual sugar. This was in bottle only a couple of weeks when tasted. This seems rich and fruity on opening, but not much more. Its fruit is just delicious, but I didn't get the sense of structure I saw from the 2016 last year. Yet, with two hours of air in a glass, this really blossomed, showing fine power, more focus and a serious backbone to go with its ripe fruit. This is another fine Romaneira. - Wine Advocate, 93 pts
Dense, ripe and already open, this is a concentrated wine that has balanced tannins and juicy black currant fruits. Its richness is tempered by the fresh, dry streak of acidity and tannins. Drink from 2028. - Wine Enthusiast, 92 pts
