April 27, 2007
PORTfolio Society release number twelve is an “End-Of-The-Century” Colheita Vertical, comprised of three special wines, all bottled exclusively for the PORTfolio Society. This is an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast three contiguous years, the different varietal composition and the effects of time in the barrel. Although the three wines will show similar flavors because of the aging process of Tawny Ports, each one stands alone and unique, different in aroma, structure, complexity and distinctiveness of flavor. These Colheitas were slowly and carefully wood aged, creating a unique intensity of flavor and character. Only four barrels of each wine were blended and hand-bottled, yielding about 80 cases of each Port. From the golden-amber edge in the glass, enticing aromas of dried fruit and wood, to the elegant softness of flavor, all three Colheitas are extremely well balanced, and will seductively tempt your palette for another sip. Peter Ficklin personally selected and blended the wines that were bottled solely for the PORTfolio Society.
1997 Colheita Tawny Port:
1997 was a bounce-back year from a low-yield crop in 1996. Yields were still well under 6 tons tons/acre, and we had excellent weather leading up to the harvest. The 1997 Colheita is 90% Tinta Madeira, and reflects the softness and character of that variety. Blended from lots #3, #4 and #6, the wines were aged in wooden tanks for 2˝ years and then barreled down to slowly develop the complex and subtle dynamics of a true barrel-aged Port. (750ml)
1998 Colheita Tawny Port:
The 1998 harvest was about 3 weeks late for this area, and the consequential extra hang-time of the fruit increased the concentration of flavor. In addition, crop yields came back into the normal range, providing just that much more intensity. Varietal makeup of this blend is 33% Tinta Madeira, 31% Touriga, 29% Souzao and 7% Tinta Cao. The Tinta Madeira is blended from 5 different lots, and the Touriga, Tinta Cao and Souzao were from two separate “field-blends.” The wines were aged in wooden tanks, and then barreled down in 1999 and early 2002. The Touriga and Souzao contribute additional complexity and fullness, but soften well with the extended barrel age. (750ml)
1999 Colheita Tawny Port:
With average yields, but yet another late harvest (2 weeks), the 1999 was blended from two lots of Tinta Madeira and one “field-blend” of the three other varieties. Comprised of 50% Tinta Madeira, 24% Touriga, 22% Souzao, 4% Tinta Cao, these wines were racked from small wooden tanks and barreled down in mid-2001. Even with only six years of barrel age, the Tawny flavors are well developed and rich in dried fruit character. (750ml)
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