2016 Declarations

[Alex Bridgeman]

A post and a thread to hold details of the 2016 vintage ports which are approved by the IVDP and offered for sale. Where available, links to tasting notes have been included.

Andresen
Blackett (tasted by Roy Hersh on 22 Jun 2018)
Bulas*
Cadao by Mateus & Sequeira
Churchill
Churchill Quinta da Gricha*
Cruz (won a silver medal at 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards)
Dalva (also released as Presidential)
Delaforce
DR (from Agri-Roncão; tasted by Roy Hersh on 21 Jun 2018)
Feuerheerd
Heritage Porto & Douro
Magalhaes (tasted by Roy Hersh on 22 Jun 2018)
Martha's (first vintage release; 667 cases)
Maynard*
Maynard BIO
Messias
Messias Cachão
Niepoort Bioma
Noble & Murat (250 cases)
Pintas (300 cases)
Pocas Junior (now renamed as Pocas)
Quevedo
Quinta da Boeira
Quinta da Gaivosa from Alves de Sousa
Quinta da Oliveirinha from Alves de Sousa
Quinta da Romaneira (1,000 cases)
Quinta da Santa Eufemia
Quinta da Vacaria
Quinta das Carvalhas
Quinta das Lamelas
Quinta das Tecedeiras from Lima Smith (around 100 cases)
Quinta de Corvus
Quinta de la Rosa (764 cases)
Quinta de Vale da Figueira
Quinta de Valle Longo (tasted by Roy Hersh on 22 Jun 2018)
Quinta de Ventozelo
Quinta do Crasto
Quinta do Infantado
Quinta do Javali
Quinta do Noval
Quinta do Noval Nacional (170 cases)
Quinta do Passadouro (170 cases)
Quinta do Pego (tasted by Roy Hersh on 18 Jun 2018)
Quinta do Pessegueiro
Quinta do Popa (300 cases)
Quinto do Portal
Quinta do Portal Quinta dos Muros
Quinta do Silval from Magalhaes
Quinta do Tedo
Quinta do Vale Meao (458 cases)
Quinta do Vallado
Quinta do Ventozelo
Quinta Dona Otilia
Quinta Dona Matilde
Quinta dos Eirados from Santa Eufemia
Quinta dos Lagares - their first vintage as an independent shipper
Quinta Vale Dona Maria (600 cases)
Real Companhia Velha
Rozes
Rozes Grifo
Sao Jose
Sao Leonardo (from Quinta do Mourao)
Seara d'Ordens Talentus
Sogevinus:

• Barros,
• Burmester,
• Calem,
• Kopke

Sogrape:

• Ferreira,
• Ferreira Vinhas Velhas,
• Offley,
• Sandeman

Symington Family Estates:

• Cockburn,
• Dow,
• Graham,
• Graham Stone Terraces,
• Quinta de Roriz,
• Quinta do Vesuvio,
• Capela de Quinta do Vesuvio
• Smith Woodhouse,
• Warre

Tanners own label
The Fladgate Partnership:

• Croft,
• Fonseca,
• Krohn,
• Skeffington,
• Taylor

Valriz
Vasques do Carvalho
Vieira de Sousa*
Vieira de Sousa Quinta da Agua Alta (first vintage release by Vieira de Sousa under the Agua Alta name)
Vista Alegre (tasted by Roy Hersh on 21 Jun 2018)
Wine Society Exhibition Port (from Symington Family Estates)

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

[Alex Bridgeman]

Ferreira, Sandeman and Offley have just declared a 2016 vintage. http://www.revistadevinhos.pt/noticias/ ... ntage-2016

[uncle tom]

Niepoort Bioma (from email)

Kopke
Burmester
Cálem
Barros

http://www.revistadevinhos.pt/noticias/ ... ntage-2016

Javali (report from Denmark via FTLOP)

Noval (reported on FTLOP)

[Axel P]

The Symingtons will inform the press today that they are releasing the following Vintage Ports of 2016:

Graham’s
Graham’s, The Stone Terraces
Dow’s
Warre’s
Cockburn’s
Smith Woodhouse
Quinta do Vesuvio and Capela do Vesuvio
Quinta de Roriz

I am sure there is more to arrive soon.

[Axel P]

Noval
Noval Nacional

[forest26]

P r e ss R e l e a s e

Cut and pasted from the press release......


The Symington Family Declare 2016 Vintage Port

The Symington family is pleased to announce our decision to declare 2016 as a Vintage Port year. This is only the fourth Vintage declaration for all our Port companies since 2000 and the first since the magnificent 2011’s. Few wine regions anywhere restrict Vintage Years with such meticulous care and only truly exceptional Ports are declared in this way.

The 2015/16 winter was wetter than average, which provided a vital counterbalance to the hot Douro summer. Damp weather continued into May, which caused considerable fruit loss to the unwary. From June, normal service was resumed, and August was very warm although some welcome rain fell on the 24th and 26th. More heat ushered in September, and some started picking although it was clear to those who were properly monitoring their vines that the grapes were not ready. Furthermore, the long-range forecast predicted showers and sure enough invaluable rain fell on the 12th and 13th September.

This was the year to read the signs and to take risks; Charles Symington, head-winemaker, delayed harvesting until the 19th September and the best Touriga Nacional was not harvested until the 26th, and the late-ripening Touriga Franca only during the first ten days of October. The greatest 2016 Symington Ports were made during this later period under lovely blue skies. It is not easy in our incredibly diverse region to pick grapes at exactly the right time, especially when yields are amongst the lowest in the world at 26 hectolitres/ha, with high risk of dehydration and when many producers rely on bought grapes and are therefore dependent on farmers for picking. All the 2016 Symington Vintage Ports are made from our own Quinta vineyards where Charles and his viticulture team can be seen every day tasting and analysing grapes throughout August and September. All our Vintage Ports were made in our five small lagar wineries, using the classic treading method for great Port.

The 2016 Vintage Ports are exceptional with tannins that are amongst the most refined ever, supporting beautiful red-fruit flavours with extraordinary intense, purple colour. They have impressive structure and balance, with Baumés, acidity, tannins and colour in rare and perfect alignment. This is no doubt a result of the later ripening cycle which allowed our grapes to mature evenly and completely. Production of each of our 2016 Vintage Ports is approximately 1/5th below our previous declared Vintage following rigorous selection in the tasting room.

Vila Nova de Gaia, 9th April 2018

[jdaw1]

The Symingtons will inform the press today that they are releasing the following Vintage Ports of 2016:

Graham’s
Graham’s, The Stone Terraces
Dow’s
Warre’s
Cockburn’s
Smith Woodhouse
Quinta do Vesuvio and Capela do Vesuvio
Quinta de Roriz

I am sure there is more to arrive soon.

for all our Port companies

Gould Campbell, RIP. Quarles Harris, RIP. Martinez, RIP.

[uncle tom]

Gould Campbell, RIP. Quarles Harris, RIP. Martinez, RIP.

Gould Campbell - distinctive style, different.

Quarles Harris - 'best of the rest' really does have a place in a company's lineup. Have they declared a 'Symington family estates' VP - for use when Tesco or whoever want an 'own brand' vintage? The name Quarles Harris (even in small print..) looks better.

Martinez - this was a really great name up until the '60 vintage. After that the company was sold and the brand pauperised. Is there really no place for a Portuguese brand name in the Symington's stable?

[flash_uk]

Am I right in thinking none of QH, Mz or GC had an associated Quinta? I think that is quite significant. Anything produced under any of these brands would now be "a port wine produced from grapes/wines sourced from various places". What would be distinctive about say, Martinez versus Gould Campbell in this scenario? If losing these means scarce investment resources are more focused to drive higher quality elsewhere, maybe no bad thing?

I could also see an argument where thinning out the tail of brands creates a bit more space for newer, innovative producers to find a space (and for us to discover). I get the sense we've seen more new producers in the last 10 years than in the 40 before that, or am I imagining that?

[uncle tom]

Am I right in thinking none of QH, Mz or GC had an associated Quinta? I think that is quite significant. Anything produced under any of these brands would now be "a port wine produced from grapes/wines sourced from various places"

Correct - but bear in mind that blending vintage ports has always had less to do with terroir and more to do with maintaining the distinctive house style through blending stocks from a variety of quintas.

Single quinta is not inherently better than multi quinta, as it ties the hands of the blender.

What would be distinctive about say, Martinez versus Gould Campbell in this scenario?

It's quite hard to put the GC style into words, but it tends to be one of the more distinctive and recognisable wines in horizontals. It tends not to come over as a heavy wine, and is quite fragrant. Martinez from the glory days are getting old now, but the wines are still remarkably deep in colour, smooth and very elegant. Two very different port styles.

[JB vintage]

Martinez - this was a really great name up until the '60 vintage. After that the company was sold and the brand pauperised. Is there really no place for a Portuguese brand name in the Symington's stable?

I agree with your question, but Martinez is actually a Spanish name
Martinez was founded in 1790 by the Spaniard D. Sebastian Gonzales Martinez.
(see http://www.vintageport.se/house/Martinez.php for more information)

[uncle tom]

I agree with your question, but Martinez is actually a Spanish name

OK smartarse - Iberian name then..

A quick Google suggests its Lusitanian equivalent is Martins

[flash_uk]

Am I right in thinking none of QH, Mz or GC had an associated Quinta? I think that is quite significant. Anything produced under any of these brands would now be "a port wine produced from grapes/wines sourced from various places"

Correct - but bear in mind that blending vintage ports has always had less to do with terroir and more to do with maintaining the distinctive house style through blending stocks from a variety of quintas.

Single quinta is not inherently better than multi quinta, as it ties the hands of the blender.

Yes agree - but having a Quinta associated, offers another dynamic to the overall story of a brand. The ports from say, Graham, can still take advantage of the opportunity to blend wines for the vintage port. I'd say having Malvedos associated with it far outweighs the tying of the hand for including Malvedos grapes in the product. Indeed isn't that part of the story around house style for Graham?

What would be distinctive about say, Martinez versus Gould Campbell in this scenario?

It's quite hard to put the GC style into words, but it tends to be one of the more distinctive and recognisable wines in horizontals. It tends not to come over as a heavy wine, and is quite fragrant. Martinez from the glory days are getting old now, but the wines are still remarkably deep in colour, smooth and very elegant. Two very different port styles.

I agree these ports had some distinctiveness over the years. But what drove that? They were distinct houses not under the same group, who had distinct winemakers who perhaps tried to deliver the signature style of the house at that time. My assertion is that sustaining that in the absence of a more rounded story about the brand is difficult. Could you have say 15 SFE brands of "ports made from grapes/wines from various sources", all with some nuance to their character, and be able to establish that nuance in the eyes of the consumer? You could have a go, but I would argue that you'd never establish the brand of those ports to justify the effort in trying to do so.
An interesting topic, as it does in some way get to the heart of what "makes" a port. Terrior? Blending expertise? Viniculture?

[Andy Velebil]

Am I right in thinking none of QH, Mz or GC had an associated Quinta? I think that is quite significant. Anything produced under any of these brands would now be "a port wine produced from grapes/wines sourced from various places". What would be distinctive about say, Martinez versus Gould Campbell in this scenario? If losing these means scarce investment resources are more focused to drive higher quality elsewhere, maybe no bad thing?

I could also see an argument where thinning out the tail of brands creates a bit more space for newer, innovative producers to find a space (and for us to discover). I get the sense we've seen more new producers in the last 10 years than in the 40 before that, or am I imagining that?

To be accurate, most VP's don't come from just one Quinta. Even "SQVP's", by law, can have a small amount from other Quinta's and still be called a SQVP.

Perhaps one of the most famous VP examples is Fonseca in a classically declared year. It largely comes from grapes from many different Quintas, some not even owned by TFP.

I do agree with Flash_UK, nowadays it's hard not to have a Quinta prominently associated with your product. A Quinta gives one a story to tell, a place for people to see, a place for people to romanticize about. Sure, us Port nerds may not care if a VP has an associated Quinta because we only care about what's in the bottle. That generally isn't the case with the majority of the public.

[uncle tom]

Terrior? Blending expertise? Viniculture?

Terroir is only really apparent when people in other parts of the world attempt to copy the port style of wine. The schist adds a minerality that you can't overtly taste in reds, although it makes the Douro white table wines very distinctive.

Beyond that though, the perceptible differences in the wines of different quintas seems mostly down to viniculture, choice of varieties and age of vines.

Every quinta has its own micro climate, and some have conditions that make the vines struggle, concentrating the wines; but I'm not convinced that different types of schist deliver different flavour notes, and can't recall anyone extolling the advantages of a quinta for that reason.

[uncle tom]

A Quinta gives one a story to tell, a place for people to see, a place for people to romanticize about

If you researched the blending history of the 'estateless' names, you would probably find a quinta or two that had almost always contributed to the blend, so if that was a concern, a 'home quinta' could probably be found.

Of course, that quinta might well be in the possession of a Douro farmer and not the bottler..

[uncle tom]

It's St George's day, and yes, Taylor have declared.

The websites of Taylor, Fonseca & Croft are all announcing the declaration of the 2016 vintage.

I've not found a TFP press release yet, and no word on Krohn

[John Owlett]

... no word on Krohn

Krohn has declared to-day as well —

http://krohn.pt/our-port-wines/classic-vintage-port/

— but I can’t find a Fladgate Partnership press release, nor any news of Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha.

John

[uncle tom]

Mentzendorff is making no mention of VVV

http://www.mentzendorff.co.uk/

Do they handle Krohn now? No mention on their site or brand list..

[christopherpfaff]

the first statements from Martha, Symingtons, Fladgate and Sogevinus can be found in my new video:

Vintage Port 2016 preview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BqJmRStP50

[Alex Bridgeman]

http://www.mentzendorff.co.uk/

Do they handle Krohn now? No mention on their site or brand list..

No, Boutinot handle Krohn.

[JB vintage]

I agree with your question, but Martinez is actually a Spanish name

OK smartarse - Iberian name then..

A quick Google suggests its Lusitanian equivalent is Martins

Iberian it is!

[Axel P]

Martha just confirmed

[g-man]

http://www.fonseca.pt/en/news/fonseca-d ... 6-vintage/
https://www.taylor.pt/en/news/taylors-d ... ntage-port
http://www.croftport.com/en/catalogue/v ... port/2016/
http://krohn.pt/our-port-wines/classic-vintage-port/

[g-man]

Quinta Da Romaneira didn't update their site but Mr. Seely confirmed with a pouring this afternoon from a cask sample in NY.

[jdaw1]

Graham’s website has no VPs after 2011. Other Symington brands do. Sigh. Have we a specific source for G and GST?

[uncle tom]

Have we a specific source for G and GST?

At the BFT, whilst gently chastising Johnny Symington for killing off the Martinez brand, he mentioned that the Symingtons had declared nine VPs for 2016

I worked out these must be:

Cockburn
Dow
Graham
Graham Stone Terraces
Smith Woodhouse
Vesuvio
Vesuvio Capela
Warre

And then either Roriz (not sure of it's current status..) or a Symington Family Estates wine for future supermarket 'own brand' VP

[Andy Velebil]

Have we a specific source for G and GST?

At the BFT, whilst gently chastising Johnny Symington for killing off the Martinez brand, he mentioned that the Symingtons had declared nine VPs for 2016

I worked out these must be:

Cockburn
Dow
Graham
Graham Stone Terraces
Smith Woodhouse
Vesuvio
Vesuvio Capela
Warre

And then either Roriz (not sure of it's current status..) or a Symington Family Estates wine for future supermarket 'own brand' VP

Quinta de Roriz was made, I just never got to taste it at the tasting unfortunately (and I neglected to list it, I will fix my post).

[uncle tom]

Quinta de Roriz was made

Is Roriz now a full member of the Symington stable - or just an estate they manage? Was not sure if Johnny would count it as 'one of theirs'..

[Andy Velebil]

Quinta de Roriz was made

Is Roriz now a full member of the Symington stable - or just an estate they manage? Was not sure if Johnny would count it as 'one of theirs'..

I think it still is a partnership with the Prats family. I recall an interview Bruno Prats did about the Estate sometime last year and I've not heard of any change since that time.

[uncle tom]

Given eurozone inflation and changes in the exchange rate (taking the change in sterling to USD to reflect a global price outlook) one might expect a release price increase for the '16s of around 15% over the 2011s.

First indications however are suggesting that release prices are being hiked by a whopping 35%

This is very disappointing - I will need to be extremely impressed to buy at that level..

[DRT]

Given eurozone inflation and changes in the exchange rate (taking the change in sterling to USD to reflect a global price outlook) one might expect a release price increase for the '16s of around 15% over the 2011s.

First indications however are suggesting that release prices are being hiked by a whopping 35%

This is very disappointing - I will need to be extremely impressed to buy at that level..

I suspect the tiny quantities are playing a part in the pricing. Launching a full declaration is an expensive business with a large fixed cost that needs to be split across fewer cases.

Even so, try buying a 1st Growth claret on release for <£50 a bottle in bond

[uncle tom]

Launching a full declaration is an expensive business with a large fixed cost that needs to be split across fewer cases.

It's flawed logic - trying to charge more for less diminishes profit. With wine, the relationship between market interest and price is closer to logarithmic than linear - a much higher declaration volume at a reduced price would be easier to sell and yield a greater return.

The '11s already have a reputation for being a 'once in a generation' vintage, yet the secondary market prices are only level pegging with the release prices. I can't see the market buying the idea that another vintage of the same calibre has appeared, whatever the reviews, especially as some producers also declared '15 and there's already a buzz about '17

2016 is going to struggle to stand tall..

[g-man]

My money's on the Dow being the one that moves first.

[Andy Velebil]

Given eurozone inflation and changes in the exchange rate (taking the change in sterling to USD to reflect a global price outlook) one might expect a release price increase for the '16s of around 15% over the 2011s.

First indications however are suggesting that release prices are being hiked by a whopping 35%

This is very disappointing - I will need to be extremely impressed to buy at that level..

I suspect the tiny quantities are playing a part in the pricing. Launching a full declaration is an expensive business with a large fixed cost that needs to be split across fewer cases.

Even so, try buying a 1st Growth claret on release for <£50 a bottle in bond

I can't speak for UK pricing, but in general for the USA prices are up around 15-20%. That's not a lot when you consider, by and large, they haven't raised prices since the 2003 declaration. That's a long time without a price hike. As much as we'd all like to pay prices from 20 years ago that just isn't going to happen.

[H_Sterling]

... no word on Krohn

Krohn has declared to-day as well —

http://krohn.pt/our-port-wines/classic-vintage-port/

— but I can’t find a Fladgate Partnership press release, nor any news of Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha.

John

I understand that the Vinha Velha won't be released due to too little wine.

So far I have bought en primeur Fonseca.

[John Owlett]

I understand that the Vinha Velha won't be released due to too little wine.

Rats!

But thank you for the information.

John

[/2alph]

http://vintageportsite.com/campaign/201 ... -declared/

[gerwin.degraaf]

Quevedo declared 2016 as well:
http://quevedoportwine.com/quevedo-decl ... tage-port/

[Alex Bridgeman]

Front page updated. Please continue to post any other 2016 vintage ports you hear about, especially from smaller companies. Did Churchill, de la Rosa, Tedo or Crasto make a 2016 port?

[Doggett]

Churchill’s did. See the below from an email.



Churchill's 2016 Vintage Port

We are pleased to announce the Declaration of
CHURCHILL’S 2016 VINTAGE PORT.


“Natural acidity in a young Vintage Port is the key to longevity. Our decision to declare Churchill’s 2016 Vintage Port has been based on the purity, ripeness and intensity of its fruit flavours, but especially on its excellent natural acidity”.

John Graham – Founder and wine maker.


The climatic conditions in 2016 in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior regions were unusual but ultimately beneficial. After a wet winter and an unusually wet and cold Spring, there followed the usual hot Douro Summer culminating in an August heatwave. The heavy rainfall in the late Spring helped to top up the water table providing the vines with the necessary hydric reserves to support a long, hot and dry Summer.

By early September our grape maturation tests showed that both sugar and phenolic maturations were well advanced. All that was needed was dry and cooler weather for the vintage. By 7th September these conditions were met and we started picking on 10th September taking it slowly and carefully selecting and prioritizing the grapes which had reached maturity. Our final lagar was filled on 8th October.

Despite the rainfall earlier in the year, the extreme heat of the Douro Summer had concentrated the juice in the grapes and the yields were low. The resulting wines show an intensity and purity of fruit combined with a vein of fresh natural acidity which gives them elegance and longevity.

We shall be making a Special Opening Offer for Churchill’s 2016 Vintage Port during the coming month.
Sign Up for Churchill's 2016 Vintage Offer




Copyright © 2017 Churchill Graham, Lda, All rights reserved.

[LGTrotter]

I received the Wine Society 2016 offer today.

They are offering their own blend of a Symington port under their 'Exhibition' label. which they imply is different from other Symington wines. They also offer Quinta do Vale D. Maria, and Quinta de Roriz.

[H_Sterling]

Tanners are offering en primeur Pintas and also a Tanners label.

[jdaw1]

Boutinot:

Krohn have declared the 2016 vintage – announced on St George’s Day (23rd April ’18) as is customary. The last classic vintage released was the 2011.

Head Winemaker David Guimaraens summarised the ’16 vintage:

“Two factors stand out in 2016. Heavy rainfall in spring meant that the vines had plenty of water throughout the summer. Secondly, the ripening season started relatively late and lasted well into September. This led to very gradual and even ripening of the crop with all elements in perfect balance at the time of the harvest. Picking started later than usual on all our estates….

…Harvesting conditions at the end of September and early October were perfect, with cool nights contributing to long fermentations and gentle, complete extraction. As a result the wines are solidly structured with firm, well integrated tannins and display very fine fruit quality.”

Krohn’s Managing Director, Adrian Bridge, said: “The keynotes of 2016 are purity and refinement. The Vintage Port displays elegance and poise, a wonderful purity of fruit and tannins of great quality… The 2016s are likely to become rarities in future, particularly given the trend towards enjoying Vintage Ports young.”

The 2016 will be shipped later in the year, and available by Autumn.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've added a few more shippers to the list at the top of the thread and also included links to tasting notes, where we have them.

[ThomasBarleycorn]

Quinta de Corvus port 2016 was declared too

[Alex Bridgeman]

Quinta de Corvus port 2016 was declared too

Thanks Thomas - now added to the list.

[JB vintage]

To be accurate, most VP's don't come from just one Quinta. Even "SQVP's", by law, can have a small amount from other Quinta's and still be called a SQVP.

Are there rules for SQVP? I thought that SQVP is not at all regulated by the law nor IVDP? Legally it is a Vintage Port, everything else is just marketing.

[Andy Velebil]

To be accurate, most VP's don't come from just one Quinta. Even "SQVP's", by law, can have a small amount from other Quinta's and still be called a SQVP.

Are there rules for SQVP? I thought that SQVP is not at all regulated by the law nor IVDP? Legally it is a Vintage Port, everything else is just marketing.

There are regulations for them. Like everything in the Douro the regulations are far more complex than what is often told to the general public. I assume for ease of explanation and for the fact that some people can’t handle things not being black or white.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DRT]

To be accurate, most VP's don't come from just one Quinta. Even "SQVP's", by law, can have a small amount from other Quinta's and still be called a SQVP.

Are there rules for SQVP? I thought that SQVP is not at all regulated by the law nor IVDP? Legally it is a Vintage Port, everything else is just marketing.

I agree with JB Vintage - I don't think SQVP is a defined category and the rules that apply to it are those covering Vintage Port.