Decanting
Vintage Port forms a natural deposit in the bottle and should be decanted. Stand the bottle upright a few hours before decanting to allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle.
Select Year
2001
Storage
Continues to improve for decades after bottling. The bottle should be kept lain down in a cool place, ideally at a temperature below 16ºC.
Serving temperature
Serve at 16ºC to 18ºC. Vintage Port is best drunk one to two days after opening.
Pairing suggestions
Walnuts, blue veined and other richly flavoured cheeses are excellent accompaniments to Vintage Port; so too are dried fruits such as apricots or figs.
About the Wine
The 2001 viticultural season was marked by one of the wettest winters on record, with widespread flooding and damage in the Douro region. From April forward, the weather became more settled.
The summer saw moderately hot temperatures, with a continuous light wind keeping the vines aerated and free of disease.
The harvest started on the 17th September at Quinta de Vargellas. The weather conditions during the first half of the vintage were ideal with hot days and cold nights contributing favourably to fermentations.
The quality of the 2001 vintage was evident from the beginning of the harvest.
Tasting Notes
Deep purple-black with narrow magenta rim. Powerful, exuberant, fresh blackcurrant and cherry nose. Lovely floral notes. Firm, but well integrated tannins on the palate. Fresh, ripe, mouth filling black fruit and plum flavours. Long, lingering blackberry and dark chocolate after taste. A very balanced, stylish wine.
Steven Spurrier, Decanter