Vintage Report

1987 Vintage Report

1987 was a divided vintage in the Douro. Heavy rain from 17th September broke the summer heatwave that had lasted since the middle of August. Grapes picked afterwards suffered from dilution and in some cases rot.

Picking at Água Alta started on 7th September and lasted for only three days. The grapes were small and there was a noticeable lack of liquid in the lagares, the stone fermentation tanks. The result was a tiny quantity of spectacular Port.

The style is typical Agua Alta: deep purple colour, a powerful concentrated grapey aroma, soft and approachable on the palate, but with masses of tannin backing this up to ensure a Single Quinta Port of great style and balance.

To quote John Graham “ . . . I have never come across a Port with such a fine intensity of colour”.