Ramos Pinto Vintage Port 2000

• Size: 750ml
• Vintage: 2000
• ABV: 20%
• Origin: Douro/Portugal
• Grapes: 60% Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca

Description

Founded in 1880 by Adriano Ramos Pinto, this Port House has always had a pioneering spirit – from the distinctive and stylish ‘art nouveau’ advertising from the 1900s to the continuing wide ranging vineyard research with results that have benefited the whole port trade. Champagne Louis Roederer, now the majority shareholder, perpetuates this philosophy and ensures continuity in a company renowned for wine-making excellence.

Ramos Pinto holds the largest proportion of vineyards in relation to its production, giving it a high degree of control over viticultural methods and harvest timing. The house tends 187 hectares of prime vineyards in the Alto Corgo and Douro Superior areas of the famed Douro region, the mountainous valley formed by the Douro River and its tributaries.

Crushed by foot in the winepress, the grape fermentation process lasts around four to five days. The fermentation is stopped by the addition of 20% spirit. Lastly, the wine is racked. The vintage Port spent 20 months ageing in large oak, chestnut or mahogany casks and was bottled two years after the harvest.

Winter was exceptionally dry with virtually no rain. However, cool and wet weather set in during April and persisted into May. This slowed down vine development and flowering and led to poor fruit set. This set the scene for one of the smallest harvests in many years. In  June, ideal dry weather conditions prevailed. The summer was not one of extreme heat. September began with an unusually hot period, leading to a rapid advancement in maturity. When the vintage started, the fruit was in excellent condition, the grapes looking slightly ‘raisined’ characteristic of good Port grapes.

This is exceptionally deep in colour. A complex mixture of aromas: compote of red fruits, ripe plums, with hints of dark chocolate and pepper. On the palate, it is elegant and well structured, full bodied, brimming with fruity flavour, full of concentration and firm tannins that will give great potential for ageing further. 

'This was an excellent year for Vintage Port, with low yields that produced fantastic depth of colour and richness. Ramos Vintage 2000 boasts a complex ensemble of aromas that combines red fruit compote, ripe plums and notes of dark chocolate and spice. Elegant and well-structured on the palate, full of fruit flavours and a good concentration.' 93 pts, Jamie Goode