Quinta do Vesúvio 2016 3L

An unseasonably warm winter and unseasonably cool spring — both exceptionally wet — were followed by one of the hottest summers on record. However, by the end of August 40% more accumulated rainfall than the 30-year average had been recorded in the Douro and these water reserves attenuated the effects of the very hot and dry summer. Some timely rain fell over two days in late August, refreshing the vines straining from the heat and putting maturations back on track. Phenolic ripeness was reached with relatively low Baumés, proving excellent for balanced, elegant wines. The only rainfall in September at Quinta do Vesuvio was concentrated in two consecutive days, the 12th and 13th, and was to prove decisive for the very favourable outcome of the vintage. Furthermore, with this rain (11.4 mm) came more moderate daytime and nighttime temperatures — a perfect scenario for the final stage of ripening of the Touriga Nacional and the Touriga Franca at Vesuvio. Fortunately, although cooler, the weather continued sunny and dry for the remainder of the vintage and the grapes harvested were in excellent condition.