2015 declarations

[jdaw1]

Known 2015 declarations:

1. Alves de Sousa
2. Barao de Vilar (which is the same blend as Maynard)
3. Blackett
4. Bulas
5. Burmester
6. Cadao by Mateus & Sequeira
7. Calem
8. Cockburn (3676⅓ dozen) - tasted at the SFE 2015 presentation on 18 May, 2017
9. Cruz
10. Dalva
11. Dow Bomfim (late release)
12. Duorum
13. Feuerheerd (which is the same blend as Palmer)
14. Fonseca Guimaraens
15. Graham Malvedos (late release)
16. Graham Stone Terraces (400 cases) - tasted at the SFE 2015 presentation on 18 May, 2017
17. Heritage Porto & Douro
18. Kopke Sao Luiz
19. Maynard (which is the same blend as Barao de Vilar)
20. Maynard Bio
21. Niepoort - tasted at the Wines of Portugal show on April 4, 2017
22. Niepoort Bioma
23. Noble & Murat (550 cases)
24. Palmer (which is the same blend as Feuerheerd)
25. Pintas
26. Pocas Junior
27. Quevedo FACTSHEET
28. Quinta da Boeira
29. Quinta da Cavadinha from Warre
30. Quinta da Corte
31. Quinta da Gaivosa from Alves de Sousa
32. Quinta da Gricha from Churchill
33. Quinta da Romaneira (1,000 cases)
34. Quinta da Roeda from Croft
35. Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira from Dow (700 cases) - tasted at the SFE 2015 presentation on 18 May, 2017
36. Quinta das Carvalhas
37. Quinta das Lamelas
38. Qiunta de la Rosa (833 cases)
39. Quinta de Vargellas from Taylor
40. Quinta do Arnozelo from Burmester
41. Quinta do Crasto
42. Quinta do Grifo from Rozes
43. Quinta do Infantado
44. Quinta do Javali
45. Quinta do Noval (2,600 cases)
46. Quinta do Noval also released 84 cases of bottles to the UK supermarket Waitrose under the label "Noval On the QT: Bin 8" presumed to be similar to a Silval blend
47. Quinta do Pego
48. Quinta do Popa (300 cases)
49. Quinta do Porto from Ferreira (6,726 bottles)
50. Quinta do Santa Eufemia (2,000 bottles)
51. Quinta do Seixo from Sandeman
52. Quinta do Tedo Savedra
53. Quinta do Vale Meao
54. Quinta do Vallado
55. Quinta do Ventozelo
56. Quinta do Vesuvio (1,000 cases) - tasted at the SFE 2015 presentation on 18 May, 2017
57. Quinta Maria Izabel
58. Quinta Nova da Nossa Senhora do Carmo
59. Quinta Vale Dona Maria
60. Ramos Pinto (7,000-8,000 bottles)
61. Real Companhia Velha Quinta das Carvalhas
62. Rozes
63. San Leonardo from Quinta do Mourao
64. Seara d'Ordens
65. Senhora do Convento
66. Van Zeller
67. Vasques de Carvalho
68. Vista Alegre
69. Viera de Sousa

Links to other vintages:
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

[jdaw1]

The first post of this thread is to hold a list of known 2015 declarations.

[/2alph]

Cockburn Vintage Port seen on their facebook profile

ck15.JPG (63.85 KiB) Viewed 48287 times

[forest26]

Just had it confirmed today - there is an article here https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2017/ ... tage-port/

[Axel P]

Noval is bottling, too

[/2alph]

Graham's declares Stone Terraces 2015 Vintage Port

http://blog.symington.com/grahams-decla ... s-vintage/

[Axel P]

Rozès, Quinta do Grifo and Quinta do Pégo will be bottled, too

[Axel P]

Alves de Sousa will bottle Gaivosa and Alves de Sousa

[Axel P]

Pintas also

[Axel P]

Duorum 2015 Vintage Port

[christopherpfaff]

Vieira de Sousa.

[/2alph]

Vesuvio and Dow's Senhora Ribeira will bottled too

http://blog.symington.com/quinta-do-ves ... -declared/

[DRT]

Vesuvio and Dow's Senhora Ribeira will bottled too

http://blog.symington.com/quinta-do-ves ... -declared/

Interesting!

Presumably that means no classic Dow 2015?

[Andy Velebil]

Vesuvio and Dow's Senhora Ribeira will bottled too

http://blog.symington.com/quinta-do-ves ... -declared/

Interesting!

Presumably that means no classic Dow 2015?

That I recall, I've never seen them bottle both in the same year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PhilW]

Presumably that means no classic Dow 2015?

That I recall, I've never seen them bottle both in the same year.

Bomfim and Ribeira have been produced in the same year, and Bomfim and "classic" Dow have been produced in the same year (though the Bomfim in this case may only have been for Scandinavian markets), but as far as I am aware Ribeira and "classic" Dow have never been produced in the same year.

[uncle tom]

TFP have declared Vargellas, Guimaraens and Roeda but are otherwise not declaring '15 it seems..

[Doggett]

To follow on from Tom's post

Taylor's press release:
http://www.taylor.pt/en/news/taylor-s-t ... tage-port/

Fonseca Press release:
http://www.fonseca.pt/en/news/fonseca-t ... tage-port/

Croft Press release:
http://www.croftport.com/en/news/quinta ... tage-port/

[uncle tom]

Rather over effusive in their descriptions of the 2015 vintage - if it was so good, why are they not declaring the blends..?

[forest26]

I thought Taylor might have released a VV as it is their 325th.

[Doggett]

I thought Taylor might have released a VV as it is their 325th.

Maybe they are being completely honourable and not just hanging a hook on a year...as they also seem to be doing re the Fonseca 1815-2015 bicentennial too [in not going for a full declaration], although they could also revert back to the 1822-2022 bicentennial for marketing purposes at a later date:-)

On a serious point though... with all the positive talk there was re the 2015 vintage... for most port houses not to declare and wait for the 2016, must mean the 2016 vintage is something our children and grandchildren etc will look back upon as sublime!

[uncle tom]

On a serious point though... with all the positive talk there was re the 2015 vintage... for most port houses not to declare and wait for the 2016, must mean the 2016 vintage is something our children and grandchildren etc will look back upon as sublime!

After the 2015 vintage there was general contentment that it was 'good enough' to declare, but there was a lack of real excitement. It was also evident that the four year gap since the 2011 vintage meant that a declaration was needed, and the vintage was being banked as a declaration long before the 2016 vintage showed its hand.

2016 was an exceptionally long harvest, and whilst some good, possibly exceptionally good, wines were made, it was also apparent that it didn't work out for everyone. Even if the biggest houses unite to make 2016 a general declaration, I suspect a few well known names will absent themselves from the party..

[Andy Velebil]

On a serious point though... with all the positive talk there was re the 2015 vintage... for most port houses not to declare and wait for the 2016, must mean the 2016 vintage is something our children and grandchildren etc will look back upon as sublime!

After the 2015 vintage there was general contentment that it was 'good enough' to declare, but there was a lack of real excitement. It was also evident that the four year gap since the 2011 vintage meant that a declaration was needed, and the vintage was being banked as a declaration long before the 2016 vintage showed its hand.

2016 was an exceptionally long harvest, and whilst some good, possibly exceptionally good, wines were made, it was also apparent that it didn't work out for everyone. Even if the biggest houses unite to make 2016 a general declaration, I suspect a few well known names will absent themselves from the party..

I agree. 2016 was a harvest that you really needed to know your grapes and pick them when they were ready. A very long start/stop vintage and I suspect those that had the patience and labor pool to keep on hand it will be a very good vintage for them. For others who picked all at once, or had a lot of old mixed vines where one couldn't really chose what to pick, I suspect won't fair as well due to the erratic ripening.

[Alex Bridgeman]

On a serious point though... with all the positive talk there was re the 2015 vintage... for most port houses not to declare and wait for the 2016, must mean the 2016 vintage is something our children and grandchildren etc will look back upon as sublime!

After the 2015 vintage there was general contentment that it was 'good enough' to declare, but there was a lack of real excitement. It was also evident that the four year gap since the 2011 vintage meant that a declaration was needed, and the vintage was being banked as a declaration long before the 2016 vintage showed its hand.

2016 was an exceptionally long harvest, and whilst some good, possibly exceptionally good, wines were made, it was also apparent that it didn't work out for everyone. Even if the biggest houses unite to make 2016 a general declaration, I suspect a few well known names will absent themselves from the party..

I agree. 2016 was a harvest that you really needed to know your grapes and pick them when they were ready. A very long start/stop vintage and I suspect those that had the patience and labor pool to keep on hand it will be a very good vintage for them. For others who picked all at once, or had a lot of old mixed vines where one couldn't really chose what to pick, I suspect won't fair as well due to the erratic ripening.

Plus the fact that you had to have the money to spray constantly with Bordeaux mix if you wanted healthy grapes without any rot. Most of the larger companies were able to do this but many contract grape farmers really suffered. I get the impression that 2016 is likely to be a very good vintage from the bigger names and well established producers but not necessarily producing the volume of lower quality wine that the market is used to.

[Axel P]

Ramos Pinto general Vintage Port

[Axel P]

Sandeman Quinta do Seixo
Ferreira Quinta do Porto

[uncle tom]

So with the Symingtons, TFP and Sogrape all declaring their SQs for 2015, it now looks certain that we are not looking at a split declaration, but a general declaration for 2016.

- I wonder whether the Symingtons will also declare a 2016 Cockburn?

[jdaw1]

The end of the line for the smaller Symington brands: not Smith Woodhouse; nor Gould Campbell; nor Quarles Harris; nor Martinez.

Please post a link for the Sogrape declarations.

Cockburn’s total seems to be 3500+110+33+33⅓ = 3676⅓ dozen.

[DRT]

After the 2015 vintage there was general contentment that it was 'good enough' to declare, but there was a lack of real excitement. It was also evident that the four year gap since the 2011 vintage meant that a declaration was needed, and the vintage was being banked as a declaration long before the 2016 vintage showed its hand.

So with the Symingtons, TFP and Sogrape all declaring their SQs for 2015, it now looks certain that we are not looking at a split declaration, but a general declaration for 2016.

I suppose time will tell, but given the widespread problems with the 2016 harvest I think it is rather too early to be certain or even hopeful of a general declaration.

[uncle tom]

I suppose time will tell, but given the widespread problems with the 2016 harvest I think it is rather too early to be certain or even hopeful of a general declaration.

My reasoning is that if the Syms and TFP were not confident that 2016 would make the grade, they would have declared '15. It does seem likely though, that a 2016 general declaration will have some well known smaller producers absent from the party - some of those who got their spraying regimes awry suffered grievously in 2016.

It is very bad news for a small producer to have to miss a general declaration, or be faced with offering a wine that is going to be severely outgunned by the big names. I do hope that the decision to pass on 2015 was entirely driven by quality, rather than marketing tactics..

[Andy Velebil]

I suppose time will tell, but given the widespread problems with the 2016 harvest I think it is rather too early to be certain or even hopeful of a general declaration.

My reasoning is that if the Syms and TFP were not confident that 2016 would make the grade, they would have declared '15. It does seem likely though, that a 2016 general declaration will have some well known smaller producers absent from the party - some of those who got their spraying regimes awry suffered grievously in 2016.

It is very bad news for a small producer to have to miss a general declaration, or be faced with offering a wine that is going to be severely outgunned by the big names. I do hope that the decision to pass on 2015 was entirely driven by quality, rather than marketing tactics..

I've heard very mixed things about 2015. There were ripening issues due to the overall weather during the year and during harvest. What I've been hearing from a variety of sources, 2015 has turned out not to be anywhere near as good as first expected during harvest and shortly after. Small issues tend to come to the front quickly as they spend a winter or two in barrel.

2016 was difficult due to the start/stop nature of it and the overall slow ripening during the year. However, if one had the patience and resources to wait and pick only those grapes which were ready were rewarded with some awesome musts. It's probably safe to make the assumption that many small producers, who don't have block planting and/or the means to upend their normal picking patterns, ended up with not so good musts from 2016. That's a short and somewhat simple explanation but 2016 really was a year where the larger companies with more resources* have probably turned out far better musts.


*resources include money, labor, ability to pick only small sections of their vineyards when they were actually ripe, then coming back to other sections later, space to ferment and store small lots of musts, etc.

[Axel P]

Dont have a link for Sogrape, talking to people.

Sogevinus does Burmester Arnozelo and Calem (full)

Axel

[Axel P]

Quinta Nova
Dalva
Cruz
Quinta do Ventozelo

[Axel P]

Grahams Malvedos

Dow Bomfim

Both for later release.

[christopherpfaff]

there was already a lot of talking about the vintageyear 2015.

I talked to

Dirk Niepoort,
Francisca van Zeller &
Tiago Alves de Sousa

some weeks ago and produced a little video with their statements:

https://youtu.be/zomvyFb1WZ4

[g-man]

So with the Symingtons, TFP and Sogrape all declaring their SQs for 2015, it now looks certain that we are not looking at a split declaration, but a general declaration for 2016.

- I wonder whether the Symingtons will also declare a 2016 Cockburn?

was just at a 2015's release tasting with Rupert and Charles.

they did tell a story about h ow Cockburn likes to release certain odd years.

[g-man]

oh i'll add that the Symingtons gives their warm regards to my fellow forumites.

[Axel P]

Although they send out samples, Andresen decided last week not to bottle.

-1

Axel

[Axel P]

Seara d'Ordens and Churchill Quinta da Gricha

Axel

[Axel P]

Just back from the Douro... It seems that some producers are still in line to have their Ports approved. Some even are doing it for the second time. I have some problems with that as all of their 2014 have passed at the first time and are a lot weaker in style.

So we are looking for quite some producers to bottle/ declare soon.

Axel

[Axel P]

There are two Niepoorts:

Label Niepoort Vintage Port 2015 CS (7).JPG (108.65 KiB) Viewed 26845 times

[Andy Velebil]

Just back from the Douro... It seems that some producers are still in line to have their Ports approved. Some even are doing it for the second time. I have some problems with that as all of their 2014 have passed at the first time and are a lot weaker in style.

So we are looking for quite some producers to bottle/ declare soon.

Axel

So you're saying they aren't being approved the first time being tested? As I've said on FTLOP, generally speaking I don't think 2015 is turning out that great after all. Of course some gems will no doubt be produced as is almost always the case, just speaking generally.

[Axel P]

Actually I am saying that I have no problems at all with the 2015 Vintage Ports. Just tasted the Niepoorts yesterday: http://worldofport.de/Wein/tasting/Niep ... poort.html

I do not understand why some of the producer's 2015s are not approved at the first time, but their 2014s were, although the 2014 were the weaker Ports.

From what I have seen so far, it will be a fantastic year and the Port industry is giving away some potentially great PR, but I also understand why some producers are reluctant to declare two or more years in a row.

Axel

[Glenn E.]

although the 2014 were the weaker Ports.

I think it's difficult to say that in general. 2014 produced some superb Port - or could have - but you had to harvest at exactly the right time and get a little bit lucky. I was surprised and disappointed that Graham did not bottle a 2014 Stone Terraces, because we tasted it on the Harvest Tour and it was splendid though of course very young. I guess the 2015 version was simply even better, so they chose to declare 2015 instead. But that then in turn makes me wonder about 2016... and what are Graham's plans for Stone Terraces? Would the declare 3 years in a row if they were all good enough? Or do they intend to release it more like a regular VP, or even more restricted like a VVV or VC super cuvee?

Anyway... I've heard many of the same things that Andy alluded to. 2015 is solid, but not great. Some will produce outstanding Port as is always the case, but it seems like generally speaking it's only maybe an above average year. It would be "good enough" to declare if they were desperate, but if 2016 is already looking better then it makes sense to wait.

[uncle tom]

I was surprised and disappointed that Graham did not bottle a 2014 Stone Terraces

There was a sudden scramble to get those grapes in before the rain, and although the PR people played the line of them being 'harvested in perfect condition' it required a leap of faith to believe that.

Graham are clearly taking the development of their new 'super cuvee' very seriously, and a willingness to set a high bar and not bottle those years that fail to excel is worthy of respect.

[Andy Velebil]

I was surprised and disappointed that Graham did not bottle a 2014 Stone Terraces

There was a sudden scramble to get those grapes in before the rain, and although the PR people played the line of them being 'harvested in perfect condition' it required a leap of faith to believe that.

And that appears to be exactly what Niepoort did with their grapes in 2015, no?

[Alex Bridgeman]

Anyone who I have not already contacted and who would like to be part of a collective purchase of either Noval's 2015 vintage port or SFE's vintage ports please drop me a PM or an email as soon as you can. Thanks.

[Axel P]

I did not have any astonishing 2014s yet, anyone?

[uncle tom]

I've not tried many, but so far none have been remarkable.

On my vintage weighting scale, which assesses both quality and significance and averages out at 1.0, I currently have it down as a 0.2

Previous years to score 0.2 include 1952, 1965, 1986, 1988, 2010 & 2012

[Glenn E.]

I was surprised and disappointed that Graham did not bottle a 2014 Stone Terraces

There was a sudden scramble to get those grapes in before the rain, and although the PR people played the line of them being 'harvested in perfect condition' it required a leap of faith to believe that.

That's not the way the story went when we were at Quinta dos Malvedos on the harvest tour in 2014. It was earlier than expected, yes, but the grapes were actually harvested comfortably before the rain so it wasn't a scramble. Whether or not they were in "perfect condition" is likely subject to typical winemaker hyperbole, but the grapes were pretty clearly harvested when they wanted to do it, not when forced to do it by impending weather.

Graham are clearly taking the development of their new 'super cuvee' very seriously, and a willingness to set a high bar and not bottle those years that fail to excel is worthy of respect.

I fully agree with this sentiment. But while I do still feel that 2014 was worthy of bottling, if 2015 was even better and they'd rather not bottle in successive years, then by all means bottle 2015 over 2014.

[uncle tom]

My impression is that they are not going to be squeamish about back to back Stone Terraces declarations, but that part of the strategy to eventually dethrone Nacional is to build up a catalogue of wines that is bereft of weaklings, by showing a greater willingness to blend away those vintages that are less than superb.

Whilst the lagar samples of the '14 may have looked really good, negative traits might easily have surfaced over the subsequent months..