16°C to 18°C
Bottle lying down
Recommended
Douro
Croft Vintages develop great aromatic complexity with age and a soft velvety texture.
Tasting Notes: Deep purple black. The nose combines an opulent and seductive fruitiness with an intricate kaleidoscope of complex multidimensional aroma. Pungent resiny scents of eucalyptus and rock rose, notes of lychee and passion fruit combine with exotic hints of leather, musk and cedar. The palate is round and velvety and the dense but well integrated tannins are wrapped in a cloak of succulent berry fruit flavour. The jammy fruit carries through into the finish where it is lifted by an attractive crispness and pungency.
2009 will be remembered as a year of low yields. This was partly due to the small amount of fruit and also to the effect of the very dry ripening season. Dormancy ended very early, with bud burst starting at Pinhão in the first week of March. The ripening season started with relatively cool weather which continued throughout July but in August this turned to intense heat. From July through to the harvest in September, there was almost no rain. These hot, arid conditions produced concentrated musts, rich in colour, tannins and sugar and by early September the grapes had reached phenolic maturity. An early start to the harvest ensured that the wines had a good acid balance and avoided over ripeness.