Deep ruby-garnet color; black cherry, blackberry, black plum, raspberry, red fruit compote, dark chocolate, violets, fennel/licorice, forest floor, earth, oak spice, thyme on the nose and palate.
Dry (0.6 g/L RS); supple, behaved tannins; fresh acidity (3.77 pH). Medium-plus body. Velvety texture with hint of rusticity—forest floor, earth. Blend of 65% touriga nacional, 32.5% touriga franca, 2.5% tinta amarela. Grapes hand-picked with initial hand-sorting, gentle de-stemming, second hand sorting before gravity-fed into small fermentation tanks. Aged nine months in 400L and 225L French oak barrels. Winemakers were Charles Symington, Pedro Correia, and Hugo Almeida who skillfully reduced the touriga nacional tannic power to create a nicely approachable wine that retains some admirable attitude. 14% ABV
The grapes come from terraced vineyards that surround the ancient dovecote (“pombal in Portuguese) planted primarily with touriga nacional in 2000 in the heart of the legendary Douro property. A dovecote/pombal is a home for pigeons or doves. Their presence was considered a symbol of wealth and status among the nobility.
The 2022 vintage was especially testing with heat waves and drought—until the end of August there was 70% less rainfall than the 30-year average, leaving the ground parched. But the winery notes: “it was quite extraordinary just how well the vines were looking with few vineyards showing signs of hydric stress—a testament to their resilience and adaptability to harsh conditions. September brought a considerable drop in temperatures both by day and by night, and the importance of this cannot be overstated, easing the strain on the vines, and providing propitious conditions for maturations to progress.” Stressed vines often produce superior fruit, albeit with reduced yields. This is an example.
Symington Family Estates is best known Porto and Madeira wines. In fact, Quinta do Vesuvio is best known for exceptional port/porto wine, not this still wine. Symington enjoys the largest vineyard ownership in the Douro. The company was founded by Andrew James Symington, who arrived in Oporto from Scotland in 1882. Today the Symington family has by far the strongest Porto portfolio in the world. Symington also is the major player in Madeira wine.
Quinta do Vesuvio is part of Symington’s aggressive move into non-fortified wine. Quinta do Vesuvio and Quinta do Ataide are estate wines that reflect Douro Valley unique terroirs. They represent Symington’s commitment to site-specific wines and understanding how soil and diverse microclimates create wines with unique characteristics.
Symington Quinta do Vesuvio Pombal do Vesuvio, Douro 2022 is sleek, black-fruit-delicious effort from a major wine maker in Portugal and the dominant maker in the Douro Valley. Delivers complexity and depth at reasonable price point—a signature of Portuguese wine. $30-36
Pairing—Roast beef and steaks; roasted lamb; braised and stewed meats; venison and wild game. Portuguese specialties: cabrito assado (roasted kid goat), cozido à portuguesa (hearty stew). Cheese—Aged manchego, aged gouda, gruyère, pecorino romano, parmigiano-reggiano; stilton, roquefort. Portuguese cheeses: queijo de azeitão, queijo são jorge, queijo de cabra transmontano (aged goat cheese).
Symington Quinta do Vesuvio website
