16°C to 18°C
Bottle standing upright
Not necessary
Douro
Temperature
16°C to 18°C
Late Bottled Vintage 2013
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The wines used to blend Croft LBV were drawn from a reserve of some of the best full-bodied red Ports produced at the 2013 harvest. These wines were aged in wood and then blended after six years. The blending process ensures that the wine is balanced and complete and that there is continuity of style in relation to previous Croft LBVs.
Tasting Notes: Deep purple back colour surrounded by a narrow purple rim. An opulent and seductive nose, very much in the Croft style. A sumptuous, dense coulis of blackcurrant predominates at first but then merges gradually with subtle herbal and balsamic notes, hints of rock rose and aromas of mocha and liquorice. On the palate the wine is round and richly textured with beautifully integrated, velvety tannins. The dark berry fruit flavours carry through into the long finish. A textbook Croft LBV at its peak of ripeness and drinkability.
viticultural year and harvest
The preceding winter was very wet, with rainfall at Pinhão 30% above the norm. This replenished water reserves depleted by the arid conditions of 2012. In contrast to the intense rainfall early in the year, the growing season was dry with only 100mm of rain between April and August. As a result the vines were almost free of disease. The early growing season was also relatively cool leading to slow growth and a late vérasion around 15th July. July and August saw some very high temperatures which accelerated the cycle and encouraged ripening of the crop. During the two months of July and August there were 11 days in which the temperature exceeded 40°C. The hot weather extended into September but some rainfall early in the month helped to round off the ripening. Picking started on the 18th September.