Vintage port is only made in exceptional years when the conditions conspire to produce wines of outstanding quality.
When this occurs the producers will "declare" the vintage.
Traditionally there are about three declared vintages every decade.
Within the last decade the vintages from 2000, 2003, 2007 have all produced outstanding port wine which was declared buy the main producers.
What makes 2009 interesting was that it was declared by one of the main producers, Taylor Fladgate who produce Taylor, Fonseca and Croft and not declared by the Symmington group who produce Dow, Warre and Quinta do Vesuvio.
2009 was the third consecutive year of drought in the Duoro region with only around half of the annual rainfall.
A little rain in early summer helped develop the vines however the remaining months of dry weather stressed the vines a and produced concentrated fruit with high sugar levels.
The hot weather combined with a rigorous selection policy during picking led to a small crop and hence a small yield of port.
It was clear from the outset that the 2009 vintage would produce wines of good quality having great density and massive concentration.
Whilst some producers such as Symmingtons felt that the conditions were not suited to a declaration, the vast majority decided to declare.
Many of the smaller producers stating that it was the best vintage on record.
I have now had the opportunity to run a tasting of three of the outstanding vintage ports from 2009.
Here are my notes.
Fonseca Vintage Port 2009.
This wine has a beautiful deep purple black colour with violet highlights.
The port clearly shows the Fonseca house characteristics of blackberry, strawberry cassis and woodland fruit with some sweetness.
The nose is seasoned with notes of coffee, spice and a little mint.
On the palate, the fruit concentration is intense with dark chocolate, liquorice and well integrated tannins.
The finish is long with the intense berry flavours lingering for well over a minute.
Taylor Vintage Port 2009.
Slightly lighter in body than the 2007 but with a firm structure that one associates with Taylor.
Almost black with purple highlights.
On the nose this wine has notes of dark cherry, marmalade, figs and a hint of scorched wood.
As would be expected of a Taylor, the palate is full-bodied with rich black cherries, figs and a little pepper.
The wine has a very long fine length and a long term bet.
Quinta Do Vesuvio 2009.
500 cases were produced of this wine.
Intense dark purple colour in the glass.
This wine has powerful fruit odours with dark cherries, rich chocolate and plummy jam.
On the palate the wine has a silky smooth texture and is yet powerful and refined with coffee, liquorice and a little dark pepper.
A super long finish that lasts and lasts.
These are just a few of the excellent port wines associated with this interesting vintage.
Undoubtedly, the excellent quality and small crop size will mean that there is demand for many years to come.