2011 Port was an incredible vintage with a niveau of quality that we have yet to see again. The wines are bold, refined and precise, have beautiful balance, power, richness and symmetry.
The iconic wine writer and Master of Wine, Jancis Robinson wrote: "There is little doubt that 2011 produced some stunning vintage ports, into which more effort and skill has gone than any other previous vintage in the Douro. And I find it impossible to think of any other wine region, anywhere in the world, that produced better wines." "I have never been so excited by the launch of a clutch of vintage ports...The good thing is that port is in general is better made than ever before..." --A bold claim that withstood time's test and was echoed unanimously by Port producers.
"Ripeness and tannic structure characterize Port in 2011 which, despite difficult weather conditions, could rank as a legendary vintage in a new era of better winemaking and improved spirit quality," said Richard Mayson of Decanter Magazine.
The 2011 vintage was a special year with extraordinary circumstances. It had a rainy winter, a warm spring, followed by a hot summer, with the saving grace of rainfall to break the heat near early September before harvest. Winemaker Charles Symington of Symington Family Estates of Graham's and Warre's Port houses, said, "The conditions for ripening and harvesting were as good as perfect and almost unprecedented."
WINE SPECTATOR 96 POINTS - "Offers seamless flavors of kirsch, chocolate, dark plum and allspice, fresh and elegant, with a towering structure and intense red berry accents. Unctuous and long on the finish, showing loads of grip. Best from 2030 through 2060. From Portugal.—K.M."
DECANTER 96 POINTS - "One of the best vintages for decades. Closed, dense with plenty of floral fruit underneath. Ripe, pure cherry-stone fruit palate, sweet and gentle, very beautiful at this stage, ripe tannic core extending through to the finish. Stunningly good."
WINE ADVOCATE 93-95 POINTS - "The Warre’s Vintage was picked beginning on September 18 at Quinta da Cavindha, with fruit also sourced from Quinta do Retiro and Quinta da Telhada. It is a blend of 37% Touriga Nacional, 23% Tinta Franca and 40% mixture of old vines. There is a lovely sea spray note on the 2011 Warre’s that emerges after ten minutes in the glass. It is nicely defined with a tangible mineral component. The palate is very well-balanced with fine tannins, very well-judged acidity and a languorous feel, as if everything is in place and it does not want to show off. This is a lovely, refined 2011 – one of the most elegant 2011s. This is a classic Warre’s. 3,000 cases declared. Tasted May 2013." - Neal Martin.
The iconic wine writer and Master of Wine, Jancis Robinson wrote: "There is little doubt that 2011 produced some stunning vintage ports, into which more effort and skill has gone than any other previous vintage in the Douro. And I find it impossible to think of any other wine region, anywhere in the world, that produced better wines." "I have never been so excited by the launch of a clutch of vintage ports...The good thing is that port is in general is better made than ever before..." --A bold claim that withstood time's test and was echoed unanimously by Port producers.
"Ripeness and tannic structure characterize Port in 2011 which, despite difficult weather conditions, could rank as a legendary vintage in a new era of better winemaking and improved spirit quality," said Richard Mayson of Decanter Magazine.
The 2011 vintage was a special year with extraordinary circumstances. It had a rainy winter, a warm spring, followed by a hot summer, with the saving grace of rainfall to break the heat near early September before harvest. Winemaker Charles Symington of Symington Family Estates of Graham's and Warre's Port houses, said, "The conditions for ripening and harvesting were as good as perfect and almost unprecedented."
WINE SPECTATOR 96 POINTS - "Offers seamless flavors of kirsch, chocolate, dark plum and allspice, fresh and elegant, with a towering structure and intense red berry accents. Unctuous and long on the finish, showing loads of grip. Best from 2030 through 2060. From Portugal.—K.M."
DECANTER 96 POINTS - "One of the best vintages for decades. Closed, dense with plenty of floral fruit underneath. Ripe, pure cherry-stone fruit palate, sweet and gentle, very beautiful at this stage, ripe tannic core extending through to the finish. Stunningly good."
WINE ADVOCATE 93-95 POINTS - "The Warre’s Vintage was picked beginning on September 18 at Quinta da Cavindha, with fruit also sourced from Quinta do Retiro and Quinta da Telhada. It is a blend of 37% Touriga Nacional, 23% Tinta Franca and 40% mixture of old vines. There is a lovely sea spray note on the 2011 Warre’s that emerges after ten minutes in the glass. It is nicely defined with a tangible mineral component. The palate is very well-balanced with fine tannins, very well-judged acidity and a languorous feel, as if everything is in place and it does not want to show off. This is a lovely, refined 2011 – one of the most elegant 2011s. This is a classic Warre’s. 3,000 cases declared. Tasted May 2013." - Neal Martin.
