Quinta do Tedo Porto Vintage 1997
Quinta do Tedo has obtained a Single Quinta classification, equivalent in Portuguese to Estate or Property. Our grapes are 100% produced on the estate and come from 15 hectares of Class 'A' grapevine, which is the highest classification of the Douro and Porto Wines Institute, comparable to France's Grand Cru.
Less than 2% of the 41,000 hectares of the Demarcated Douro Region belong to the 'A' class. This classification meets 24 criteria, including soil conditions, vineyard exposure, grape variety, planting density, and altitude.
The estate is located at the intersection of the Douro and Tedo rivers. Imposing granite stones, sculpted like those of the estates, stand out in the landscape as sentinels, placed by the Marquês de Pombal during the original demarcation of the Douro in 1756. History has it that only wine from the demarcated area of the estate was considered of the highest quality and received authorization for export.
Today, the 'A' classification of Quinta do Tedo and its location within the estate boundaries are proof of its high potential, just like its Single Quinta label.
PRODUCTION
Year - 1997, Quintas do Tedo's first Vintage Port wine; a classic Vintage, yet abnormal year considering the dry and warm early spring, followed by a wet and cool early summer; the heat returned full-force in August, making for a full, high-quality harvest.
Grapes - 18+ grape varieties, dominated by Touriga Nacional, from our estate's old (40+-year-old) field blended vines.
Terroir - schist soil, Mediterranean climate (low yearly rainfall and dry, hot summers), grade A classified vineyards.
Winemaking - hand-picked, estate-grown grapes undergo pre-fermentation line-up maceration with foot-treading in traditional lagares for 3 days followed by 3 days of temperature-controlled fermentation to more slowly extract the grapes' soft tannins, complex aromas, and rich colors. These characteristics are preserved while aging in minimal contact with oxygen in large 7000 liter (1850 gallon) foudres before being Vintage-quality approved by the IVDP and bottled, unfiltered, within 2 years of the harvest to, ideally, age for 10+ years in bottle.
Annual Production - 4,000 bottles
Alcohol - 20%
TASTING
See - deep ruby with purple highlights.
Smell - black fruit (mature blackberries, black prunes, and black cherries); elegant and complex.
Sip - soft, generous, and dense blackberry with a touch of oak; as well as velvety tannins offering a mild, long, and persistent finish.
Enjoy - 2010+, cool (15°C/60°F), on its own or in the company of dark chocolate cakes, strong cheeses, friends, family, and other Vintage Port Wine aficionados/as!
