Complete List of 2021 Vintage Port wines
As most years in the last decade, in 2021 the harvest of the grapes in the Douro, had exeptional qualitie and the wines bottled in 2023 are seeying great potential in becoming yet another great year for vintage port’s. Not being declared an offical vintage year, many of the winery’s have been able to bottle rather great vintage 2021 ports this year.
The 2021 Vintage Port: A Glimpse into a Remarkable Year
The world of wine is vast and varied, with each year bringing its own unique character to the bottles that line our cellars. Among the many wines that enthusiasts eagerly anticipate, Vintage Port stands out as a particularly special treat. The 2021 vintage, in particular, has garnered attention for its exceptional quality and character. Let's delve into what makes the 2021 Vintage Port so noteworthy.
1. What is Vintage Port?
Before we dive into the specifics of the 2021 vintage, it's essential to understand what Vintage Port is. Originating from the Douro Valley in Portugal, Vintage Port is a fortified wine that is bottled after only two years in wood, allowing it to retain its youthful fruitiness and evolve over time in the bottle. Unlike other ports, which are blends of various years, a Vintage Port is made from grapes harvested in a specific year, and only in years when the quality is deemed exceptional.
2. The Conditions of 2021
The year 2021 was marked by a series of climatic events that played a significant role in the quality of the grapes. The winter was wetter than usual, replenishing the water reserves that would be crucial during the hotter months. Spring brought a mix of warm days and cool nights, allowing for a balanced growth. The summer was one of the coldest ever measured
From The Symington’s:
“In 2021, the Douro region experienced unpredictable weather patterns, reminding vintners of the ongoing impacts of climate change. Contrary to the extreme heat felt across Europe, the Douro had an unusually cool summer without the typical heatwaves. This led to slower, balanced ripening of grapes. The harvest was marked by three significant rainfalls, requiring adjustments to the picking schedule. Despite the challenges, the cool nights resulted in wines with excellent acidity and color.
The harvest began with the Sousão grape on August 30th, followed by the Alicante Bouschet. Both varieties performed exceptionally well. Rain in mid-September led to a brief halt in harvesting, but picking resumed with the Touriga Nacional on September 18th. This grape variety, while less aromatic this year, contributed to the color and balance of the wines. The growing season started earlier than usual, with some grape varieties like Touriga Franca being harvested earlier to avoid the rain.
The 2021 harvest was longer than usual due to the cooler temperatures and intermittent rain, spanning six weeks compared to the less-than-a-month duration in 2020. Despite the challenges, the teams managed to harvest optimally, resulting in a production 24% higher than 2020.”
From Sogrape
“In 2021, the Douro vintage was marked by cooler temperatures throughout the growing season. After a rainy winter, the spring saw mild conditions, leading to a smooth budbreak. However, the early growth phase required control due to its vigor, and the region faced challenges like powdery mildew outbreaks and extreme weather events, including hail and heavy rains. Fortunately, the Sogrape estate vineyards remained unaffected. The cool summer nights ensured a slow and steady ripening of the grapes, resulting in aromatic intensity and refreshing acidity.
The harvest began later than the previous year, starting on 23rd August with the Muscat at Sandeman’s Quinta do Seixo. The Quinta da Leda estate's harvest spanned almost double its usual time, commencing on 2nd September and concluding on 14th October. September rains slowed down the harvest and raised concerns about rot, especially with thin-skinned grape varieties. However, thicker-skinned varieties and old-vine plots managed better.
Thanks to the team's expertise and timely decisions, the 2021 vintage produced "aromatic, fresh, and elegant" wines. Luís Sottomayor, the head winemaker for several notable brands, praised the 2021 Port for its elegance and acidity, deeming it perfect for Aged Tawnies.”
3. Characteristics of the 2021 Vintage
The 2021 Vintage Port is characterized by its intense color, a deep purple that hints at the concentration of flavors within. On the nose, there's a delightful mix of red and black fruits, with notes of plum, blackberry, and cherry standing out. These fruity notes are complemented by hints of spice, chocolate, and the signature floral undertones that Vintage Port lovers cherish.
On the palate, the 2021 vintage is rich and full-bodied, with a velvety texture that's a hallmark of great Vintage Ports. The tannins are firm yet refined, suggesting that this is a wine with significant aging potential.
4. Aging Potential
Given its structure and balance, the 2021 Vintage Port is expected to age gracefully for decades, if not longer. While it's tempting to open a bottle now and savor its youthful exuberance, those who have the patience to wait will be rewarded with a wine that evolves, revealing new layers of complexity with each passing year.
5. The complete list of vintage ports from 2021:
We want to make things easy for you, that’s why we’ve put together the complete list of Vintage port Wines from the year 2021 - bottled in 2023. We try to keep this list up-to-date as new Vintage’s are still being bottled when we wrote this blog about Complete List of 2021 Vintage Portwines for you.
Single Quinta Vintage Ports from 2021: (by Symington)
Our Verdict:
The 2021 Vintage Port is a great wine and a showcase to the magic that can happen when nature and human expertise come together in perfect harmony.
Due to it’s very young character and interesting weather conditions during harvest season back in 2021, the wine shows a lot of potential over the whole spectrum, but as it’s not a widely declared vintage year, the amount of high-score wines will be small and not outstanding, comparing to other years. Yet, as many other wines have proven in the past, nothing is certain and it might well become a jewel amongst portwines over the next couple of decades. Still a very interesting gift to present your children with, who are born in the year 2021 - as the bottles will become higher in value over the next 20 years, your children could be looking at a very interesting and tax-free inheritance.
Whether you're a seasoned Port enthusiast or new to the world of fortified wines, the 2021 vintage offers an opportunity to experience something truly special. Whether you choose to open a bottle now or let it age for future enjoyment, you're in for a treat.
Updates:
If you are interested in the quality of the 2021 Vintage Port, we are going to do some tastings soon and invite you to follow our updates. We are sending out a weekly newsletter and you can sign up here:
First up is the 2021 Vintage Port from Quevedo. Here are some product shots for you to get warmed up
