Offley 1999 Colheita Port

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Vintage: 1999

Varietal: Touriga Nacional Blend

 Colour: Red Style: Fortified/Dessert

Producer: Offley

VINTAGE
Both winter and spring were very dry with above average
temperatures, particularly in February and March, triggering rapid
budbreak. The lack of rainfall led to instances of hydric stress on
the vines during budbreak, which worsened over the ensuing
months and had a negative impact upon both flowering and
ripening. August and September saw significantly higher rainfall
than usual, which ensured the development of the grape
bunches.
PRODUCER
William Offley founded the eponymous wine merchant in London
in 1737, and soon began importing and bottling Port. By 1787,
Offley was described as ‘one of the most considerable English
houses at Porto.’ The house became famous for its association
with Joseph James Forrester, later the Baron of Forrester, who
came to Oporto in 1831 and is famous for mapping the Douro,
and for painting many of its landscapes. Since 1997, Offley has
thrived under the ownership of Sogrape. Quality, derived from the
fact that their best wines come from prime sites in the Cima Corgo
region, has once again moved it up the ranks of Port producers.
VINEYARDS
The soil in the Douro Valley is made up of schist - a slate-like
metamorphic rock that is poor in nutrients and has useful water
retention properties. The poor quality soil ensures that the vines put
down deep roots, producing grapes which are of high quality and
low yield. The vines are grown on terraces cut into the steep
hillsides of the Douro Valley. The terraces are walled with schist to
prevent erosion, otherwise torrential rains would wash loose stones
down the slopes and into the river. Each terrace can hold up to
three rows of vines.
VINIFICATION
After crushing with partial destemming, maceration took place
during alcoholic fermentation to extract colour, tannins and
flavour precursors from the grape skins. Sugar levels, flavours and
densities were strictly monitored to identify the ideal time to halt
the fermentation with the addition of grape spirit. The wine was
transported to Vila Nova de Gaia in the spring following the
harvest, where it began its ageing process in small oak casks. The
development of the wine was monitored carefully over the years,
and the final blend was composed from the best wines of the year
- only those in-keeping with Offley's standards were selected.
TASTING NOTES
Brick-red in colour with a complex nose exhibiting spicy notes of
black pepper and cinnamon. Mature tobacco aromas mingle
with spicy oak, underpinned by a concentrated core of stewed
black fruits and dried fruits. The palate is full-bodied with perfectly
balanced acidity. Spice and roasted nut flavours complement the
intense savoury-sweetness on the elegant finish. This impressive
Colheita perfectly combines maturity and vibrancy.