Touriga Nacional & Sousão
3 x 75cl * 20% ABV * Douro, Portugal
Graham’s 2020 Bicentenary Edition Vintage Port is a unique blend of co-fermented Touriga Nacional & Sousão (from the prized Stone Terraces at Quinta dos Malvedos), co-fermented Touriga Nacional & Touriga Franca, old mixed vines with their deep-reaching roots, and Alicante Bouschet. These high altitude and north-west facing vines are grown across three of Graham’s four estates – Quinta dos Malvedos, Quinta da Vila Velha, and Quinta do Tua.
The 2020 vintage was the smallest of this century, after erratic weather led to exceptionally low yields and an unusually early harvest. These challenging conditions put the vines under considerable strain, but it's in years such as these that the Douro’s diversity of terroirs really comes into its own. According to Head Winemaker, Charles Symington;
“2020 was an especially challenging year in the Douro. The region saw record heat waves which substantially reduced yields…Grape varieties that usually ripen sequentially needed to be picked at the same time. We adapted to the conditions and picked parcels by their altitude and co-fermented select varieties together, producing incredibly complex and concentrated wines.”
The first time and somewhat unusual addition of the Sousão grape provides critically important acidity to underwrite the balance and the structure of the final blend. The result is an extraordinarily opulent, intense, and fresh Vintage Port. While it has the classic Graham's hallmarks, the wine is marked by a unique aromatic complexity and beautifully layered fruit.
Aromas range from exotic açaí berry fruit and traces of mint which are very much a Malvedos hallmark. There are also suggestions of fresh pine and orange blossom, delivering a sensation of great freshness. On the palate there are layers of bright, concentrated black fruits (blackcurrant and blackberry) wrapped in a seductive robe of opulence and charm.
Just 3,000 bottles are being released en primeur in 2022.