16°C to 18°C
Bottle lying down
Recommended
Douro
The first Vintage Port made exclusively from the produce of the old, historic vineyard plots on the company’s flagship property, Quinta da Roêda. Named Sērikos, a historical reference to the property’s involvement in the production of silk following the destruction of its vineyards by Phylloxera and to the silken quality of its wines.
Tasting Notes: Inky black centre in a slender ring of deep purple. The nose opens with a dazzling peacock’s tail of scents and aromas. The rich, ripe fruit, which is a consistent feature of the wines of Quinta da Roêda, has developed a kaleidoscopic complexity, crisp red berry aromas blending with ripe, succulent black fruits and a fresh grapiness. The signature Roêda eucalyptus and rock rose scents merge with hints of crushed mint, fresh citrus notes and a pot-pourri of savoury herbs and dried rose petal. The wine opens a treasure chest of surprising nuances as it develops in the glass. On the palate the wine is thick, dense and silky, packed with opulent fruit and supported by a mesh of tightly-woven tannins. This magnificent expression of the oldest vineyard plots at Quinta da Roêda showcases the old vines’ remarkable qualities and their ability to open doors on unexpected new dimensions of aroma.
The vineyard cycle got off to an early start, with the first buds emerging between 8th and 10th March, in spite of the cold, dry weather. The very dry Spring stood out as a defining feature of the 2017 viticultural year. Only a few millimetres of rain fell in April, usually one of the wettest months, with May and June continuing dry. Temperatures were above average for the period. The early development of the vines continued, with flowering starting right at the beginning of May and a very early véraison making its appearance around 18th June. The drought conditions continued throughout the summer and until the end of September. July was hot but, fortunately, the temperatures in August fell to more moderate levels, particularly at night, giving balance to the ripening crop. Picking at Quinta da Roêda began on 31st August, the earliest start date for over 70 years. Winemakers’ notes refer to the exceptional density of the musts, yielded by thick skinned grapes, and for the impressive scale and richness of the wines produced from the oldest vineyard plots.