Harvest

For Port Wine, the 2009 harvest was fantastic and widely declared. The growing season was exceptionally arid, resulting in low yields. A warm spring brought about early budding and flowering, and the ensuing summer saw virtually no rain. Temperatures reached scorching highs in August, which brought the grapes to phenolic ripeness, but the drought smothered some vines that cut yields. The grape varieties, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, tended to survive the harsh conditions better than others. Overall a great year and whether it's a vintage Port from a declared shipper or a single farm wine, it's hard to go wrong with the 2009 Port. The vast majority will be drinking extremely well and will continue to age for decades to come.

Winemaking

Foot trodden in granite mills for 3 or 4 nights, with careful temperature control. Aged in oak barrels for 24 months before bottling.