NEW YORK, April 23, 2024 – Taylor Fladgate has announced the decision to release a Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port from 2022.
Taylor Fladgate Managing Director Adrian Bridge comments: “The 2022 vintage ports are the result of a very dry and hot growing season which was broken by some very welcome rain at the beginning of harvest. The unique character of the Quinta de Vargellas vineyard is clearly expressed in the 2022 wines and we therefore considered it appropriate to bottle this year as a single quinta vintage.”
Quinta de Vargellas is one of the most famous wine estates in the Douro Valley and considered one of the great vineyards of the world. Located in the remote eastern part of the Upper Douro Valley, the estate is renowned for its elegant but long-lasting vintage ports, characterized by firm tannins, fine focused fruit and characteristic floral scent.
Commenting on the 2022 vintage, Head winemaker David Guimaraens notes: “2022 will be remembered as one of the hottest years on record. However, the effects of the drought were offset by a wet March and by rain in early September, with perfect picking conditions at harvest. The crop at Taylor Fladgate, Quinta de Vargellas estate was one of the healthiest we have seen for years.”
As usual, with the Vargellas Single Quinta Vintage, these wines are beautifully enjoyed young, but will also age superbly in the cellar for many years to come.
TASTING NOTES ON THE QUINTA DE VARGELLAS 2022 VINTAGE PORT
Deep purple black with a narrow magenta rim. Exuberant, powerful, fresh blackcurrant and cherry nose. Finesse, elegance and poise with a linear push of woodland fruit, hints of plum and a kiss of citrus and quince.
This dense backdrop is overlaid with an enchanting grapey freshness that builds as the nose develops.
The floral scents which are the hallmark of Vargellas are present, the characteristic violet fragrances intertwining with delicate blossom and herbal notes.
A wave of clean berry fruit flows through the palate from beginning to end. The tannins are firm but well integrated, providing plenty of grip and an attractive touch of austerity. A fine single quinta Vintage Port, with perfect balance and confidence.
NOTES ON THE 2022 VITICULTURAL YEAR
The dormancy period between November and February was extremely dry, with only 78mm of rainfall recorded. The average for this period is much more in the order of 370 mm. Fortunately, March was wet with 75 millimeters of rain which was very important for the growing season to start with some water.
Bud burst occurred on March 20th which is later than normal and Spring was dry. When flowering started on May 19th, we continued to register very low levels of water – 195mm to be exact from the previous November to the 31st May.
Because of the dry conditions, we had very little pressure from disease, which meant that the key focus in the vineyards was dedicated to working the canopies. At the beginning of June we entered a phase of the first of many heat waves with temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius recorded – this is very unusual for June.
On July 14th in Pinhão, we recorded a temperature of 46.5c (115.7 Fahrenheit), the highest temperature recorded in the country in 2022. As a result of the extreme temperatures, veraison only occurred in the last week of July.
Harvest started on the 3rd September at Vargellas with the vines producing very small berries, which gave them a good juice to skin ratio. A few days later on the 6th September we had a very welcome 4 mm of rainfall which kept the temperatures down and gave some very welcome relief to the vines and did a great job in giving the grapes that all important final push.
2022 will be remembered for the year that we were able to foot tread again, after two years interruption due to COVID. Seeing the lagares full of people again and knowing that this is the way great vintage ports are made, was a sight to hold.
