Vargellas Vinha Velha1997
After the snowfalls of the 7th January, the Winter and the Spring of the year were warm and dry. The higher than normal temperatures brought on early bud burst and the berry set for all the vineyards was good.
The weather during the harvest was extremely hot, as a result the fermentation temperatures were high and an extra effort was required to prolong the fermentations.
The high quality was evident in the wines from the start, with the intensity of the must, good integration of the spirit and powerful, attractive aromas.
TASTING NOTES
The first impression is of pungent black fruit aromas and rich dark velvety chocolate. This is then followed by delicate herbal and tobacco notes. The complexity and range of flavours on the palate are seemingly endless: rich cherry and plum jam, luscious ripe blueberry, bitter dark chocolate, scented cigar box and spice, fresh leather. And the texture and consistency of the wine is almost of molasses, or treacle, it coats the palate like a velvet glove. A wine with enormous strength, marvellous depth, dimension and structure. It fills the mouth to bursting and the finish is wonderfully prolonged.
