1998 Vintage Port
The smallest vintage for decades, with some good and powerful Quinta Vintage Ports made. Not generally declared.
Drinking Status
The best wines to be kept until at least 2008.
Tasting Notes
Some excellent wines were produced, particularly those coming from the the “meia-encosta vineyards”. These cooler climate vineyards situated half-way up the valley were picked later and therefore avoided the rain of late September.
Climatic Conditions
After a cold and wet January throughout the Douro, unseasonably hot and dry weather set in suddenly during February and March. This brought about an early bud burst, and by the end of March shoots had already grown up to 30cm in length. During April record rainfall levels were registered both in the Cima Corgo and the Douro Superior, which proved disasterous to flowering and fruitset, and ultimately leading to the smallest vintage for decades. Coupled to this, frosts attacked the higher ground in Spring, further reducing production.
Yields in the vineyards were very low, down as much as 30 throughout the region, with vines producing in many cases under 1kg per vine. The damp weather continued during May.
In June rainfall returned to normal levels, and from July to early September the weather warmed up, with maximum temperatures recorded between 29º-38ºC in the Cima Corgo and 32º-39ºC in the Douro Superior, which ensured a long uninterrupted ripening period.
Vinification
After a cold and wet January throughout the Douro, unseasonably hot and dry weather set in suddenly during February and March. This brought about an early bud burst, and by the end of March shoots had already grown up to 30cm in length. During April record rainfall levels were registered both in the Cima Corgo and the Douro Superior, which proved disasterous to flowering and fruitset, and ultimately leading to the smallest vintage for decades. Coupled to this, frosts attacked the higher ground in Spring, further reducing production.
Yields in the vineyards were very low, down as much as 30 throughout the region, with vines producing in many cases under 1kg per vine. The damp weather continued during May.
In June rainfall returned to normal levels, and from July to early September the weather warmed up, with maximum temperatures recorded between 29º-38ºC in the Cima Corgo and 32º-39ºC in the Douro Superior, which ensured a long uninterrupted ripening period.
Winemaker's Comments
"The vintage was carried out, almost entirely, in wet and cold conditions, which took the edge off what might have been an excellent year due to the low yields and good ripening conditions. Perhaps due to the dry conditions experienced before the beginning of the vintage and cold temperatures thoughout, mildew did not develop and the grapes although diluted due to the rain were in good conditions."
"The quality of the wines produced from our own Quintas, 'Quintas de fora' and the small amount produced from A and B quality grapes is of a good quality and should certainly produce Single Quinta quality wines."
Charles A. Symington
16th October 1998