O Produtor, tasting note published in November 15th 2020
Very deep purple-black colour in the centre, with a narrow purple-red rim. While the nose shows the seductive, opulent character of red fruit, a familiar feature of vintages from Roêda, there are also intense berry fruit aromas that add focus and finesse.
As always, the fruit is wrapped in an envelope of exotic aromas of balsamic, mint and eucalyptus. The first impression on the palate is of a round wine with a rich, velvety texture, but excellent acidity is present and cohesive, well-integrated tannins emerge on the finish. Powerful and very long finish with persistent red fruit flavours. Although, as always, the Roêda Vintage 2018 is ripe and seductive, the characteristics of the year and the contribution of wines from Roêda's older vineyards place this excellent estate vintage on a very high level.
The weather pattern in 2018 was a little erratic and at times challenging, but in the end the conditions necessary to create an excellent Vintage Port happened. The year started off extremely dry, as there had been very little rain the previous year and by January, around two thirds of Portugal’s land area was suffering from drought. The stress on the vines due to the arid conditions was relieved
in March due to heavy rains. The weather station at Quinta da Roêda recorded 223 mm of rainfall during the month. This replenished the ground water reserves depleted the previous year and this soil moisture was decisive during the ripening season. The weather remained cool and wet until the end of June and the vineyard cycle was about three weeks behind the previous year’s calendar.
A dry and relatively mild July was followed by a hot August, with temperatures well above 40°C being recorded at the beginning of the C in the easternmost parts of the Douro Valley. The intense heat allowed the cycle to accelerate. The abundant reserves of water built up in the spring meant that the grapes ripened evenly and gradually, despite the hot conditions. warm conditions. The harvest at Quinta da Roêda started on the 17th September under hot, dry weather. Yields were low, but the wines had excellent intensity of colour, very good acid balance and elegance and freshness of fruit.
Allergens information
Contains sulphites.
SKU: 105645
Croft
One of the original Port wine houses. The origin of Croft dates back to 1588 when the company was established in England
by Henry Thompson, a member of the Merchants Company of York. The Croft family, who joined the firm in 1736 and gave it its
its present name, played a very prestigious role in the Port wine business. A book recently published by the firm
by the firm after recent research work, has revealed the long and fascinating history of the company. Croft’s reputation as a
producer of Vintage Port comes largely from its ownership of Quinta da Roêda, one of the finest quintas in the Douro Valley.
best quintas in the Douro valley and its legendary wines such as Croft 1945, recognized as one of the best of that historic year.
of that historic year. In September 2001, Croft became part of The Fladgate Partnership, the family group that owns
the famous houses Taylor’s and Fonseca.
