1963 Vintage Port
A monumental Vintage of legendary proportions that needs no introduction. One of the 20th Century's finest. A Vintage Port against which all others are judged. Declared by all the major Port houses.
Drinking Status
Ready to drink now with some wines only just beginning to show full maturity. The best wines will last for many decades still.
Tasting Notes
Power, dimension and real character, are all hallmarks of this most memorable Vintage. Even after nearly 40 years the best wines never fail to impress with their essential three components of fruit, tannin and elegance. Almost always appear to be younger than they really are.
Climatic Conditions
A standard winter, with rain and snow. It began to dry out at the end of April. The vines showing promise already. It was cold and wet until the middle of June. Then July and August were fine, with very dry weather, and there was only some rain, perfectly timed, in mid September.
Vinification
Picking started 23rd September in perfect weather.
Winemaker's Comments
"Vines looking very nice, but have suffered a little desavinho owing to the heat, which has come suddenly this last week. If weather continues favourably without too much intense heat, prospects for the coming vintage are still very good. Much will depend on the coming 8-10 critical weeks before the vintage."
Ronald A Symington
25 June 1963
"The drought that had lasted since Whitsun broke on the morning of the 10th September with three hours steady rains. This was followed by several heavy thundery showers on the 11th, all of which has done a great deal of good. Now fine weather is required until the vinage."
Michael D Symington
16 September 1963
"Wonderful weather for the last three weeks, which was just what was required after the rain. The last weeks of the most perfect weather cleared up any podre (rot) that was threatening. Mostos (musts) look very nice indeed and seem to have plenty of colour even if perhaps lacking a little in guts. Graduations on the whole are very good and the grapes, especially in the early part of the vintage, produced a great deal of wine. Nights have been cool and temperatures have been very satisfactory. We have every hope that some very good wines will have been made."
Ronald A Symington
15 October 1963