This 2024 vintage Vintage Port, fermented by foot-treading in stone lagares, is a Douro blend consisting of 47% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 13% Alicante Bouschet, and 10% Sousão, all produced by Quinta do Vesuvio.
There was abundant rainfall in the winter, and mild weather persisted into early summer; however, during the August period, there was no rain at all, resulting in persistently dry conditions. Some young vines even experienced water stress. However, clear days and cool nights persisted throughout the August and September periods, allowing the grapes to retain their freshness, a quality clearly evident in the wine's acidity. Only 1,510 cases were produced.
It was aged for 18 months in large oak vessels prior to bottling. Decanting is recommended. It is best enjoyed between 2034 and 2078.
Quinta do Vesuvio produces both Douro DOC wines and Vintage Ports.
Robert Parker (97)
The 2024 Vintage Port was produced with 47% Touriga Franca (the highest amount of other Vintage Ports), 30% Touriga Nacional, 13% Alicante Bouschet and 10% Sousão. It was fermented with indigenous yeasts in lagar and matured in large oak vessels for 18 months. It's full of energy and tension, is harmonious and has so much going on. This has more Touriga Franca than any of their other Vintage Ports, and it's also the sweetest, but it has phenomenal concentration and higher acidity and comes through as balanced. It is juicy and opulent, with balance. Aromatic, it develops hints of rosemary with time in the glass. It has 20% alcohol, a pH of 3.65 and 110 grams of acidity. 18,120 bottles produced.
James Suckling (98)
Aromas of asphalt, violets, dark fruit and a touch of tobacco. This very expressive wine is tight and incisive with a precise tannic structure, showing dark fruit and balanced sweetness. Savory finish. Best from 2030.
Jancis Robinson (19)
Estate in the Douro Superior. A foot-trodden blend of 47% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 13% Alicante Bouschet, 10% Sousão. Only Vesuvio and Capela do Vesuvio are foot-trodden and Charles Symington believes the machines do the job as well or better even if it is less romantic. TA 4.8 g/l, RS 110 g/l. Bottled May 2026 without filtration. 1,510 cases, ie 4% of the vineyard’s production in 2024.
Black core with narrow purple rim. Relatively high proportion of Touriga Franca. Darker and less sweet smelling than some of the Symington ports, with the savour of black olive but also highly aromatic with violets and fresh herbs. Sweet and rich and with the sweet spice of Alicante Bouschet, which does well in the heat. On the palate, sweet black fruit covers the massive tannins. Balanced by terrific freshness. Powerful but polished tannins. Immense length. Julia Harding MW
