I thought that I'd dig out some notes from a Quinta de Vargellas 2005-1967 vertical conducted by Adrian Bridge, Managing Director of Taylor’s, at The Royal Opera House in London, to commemorate the release of the 2005 Quinta de Vargellas a few years ago.
Taylor's vintage report for 2000 says, "Wet conditions in 1999 were followed by a cold, dry winter with almost no rain falling. April and May were very wet, with half the annual rainfall in these two months, resulting in tremendous vigour and poor berry set at the end of May, with a high occurrence of disease. Yields from Taylor’s properties were not as seriously affected as others, which in the region was around a third lower than the 1999 vintage. August continued dry, with the first half being extremely hot. Late August and early September had perfect ripening conditions, with long, warm days. Picking began around 20 September and finished on 10 October."
In 2000, 240 cases were produced. Opaque, viscous, ruby purple. Very similar nose to the 1995: lean, intense, focused, albeit very shy at the moment. More generous with aeration, with coffee and young fruit aromas. A bit grubby on the palate, but not enough to be conspicuous… A second example tasted was much better, and clean as a whistle. Big structure, with vast reserves of fruit, acidity and tannin. Spiky at the moment, with all the bits sticking out, and not as rounded as the 1995. The second wine was nicer and more rounded, though still with some way to go before becoming approachable. Tougher tannins than previous wines. Great length again, though. Perhaps the least fine of the Vinha Velha wines tasted here, but it is of course the youngest, and therefore the hardest to read and assess. Not to be broached for a long time.