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A new shipper, Kranemann have declared 2018. It’s based at Quinta do Convento de São Pedro das Águias, although it’s not quite clear from the website whether it’s a SQVP. The name is from its owner—Christoph Kranemann—who seems to be an ophthalmologist who moved into wine production via. wine collecting as a hobby. They also advertise a 2009 but I wonder if that is old stock that has been re-branded.

On a webcast yesterday, Christian Seely announced that Noval had made 1,600 cases of the 2018 Vintage Port, being bottled in 75cl and a very small number of 150cl bottles. Christian also announced there was no Nacional made in 2018 due to a hailstorm which seem to centre on the Nacional parcel and decimated the crop that year.

Thanks to George for a little trail of breadcrumbs which has led me to add a couple of dozen names to the lists of releases from vintages between 2005 and 2018. Most of the lists have been edited to add a handful of names.

Quinta do Vallado has declared a 2018 Vintage Port, a field blend of a vineyard in the Torto Valley. The label says Vallado Porto Vintage 2018 (not Quinta do Vallado!).

Some of the production volumes for 2018 seem tiny. I wonder if this a conscious decision by some of the producers to tweak upwards the frequency of declarations, even if only very small amounts of some are available?

I should say, I don’t think there is any attempt to declare more frequently without maintaining quality: with the proliferation of micro-climates throughout the Douro, there is any argument that if each shipper has access to enough vines, it ought to be able to get some grapes of vintage port quality each year (save, perhaps, 1993!). And, of course, with the huge investments in wine making facilities over the last couple of decades, it seems that many winemakers have an ability to ferment and fortify smaller batches can then be stored separately.

JacobH wrote:Some of the production volumes for 2018 seem tiny. I wonder if this a conscious decision by some of the producers to tweak upwards the frequency of declarations, even if only very small amounts of some are available?

I should say, I don’t think there is any attempt to declare more frequently without maintaining quality: with the proliferation of micro-climates throughout the Douro, there is any argument that if each shipper has access to enough vines, it ought to be able to get some grapes of vintage port quality each year (save, perhaps, 1993!). And, of course, with the huge investments in wine making facilities over the last couple of decades, it seems that many winemakers have an ability to ferment and fortify smaller batches can then be stored separately.

There was storm damage in the spring that significantly reduced the amount of fruit on the vines in 2018, but the rest of the season was apparently extremely favourable so while the volumes are low the quality is supposed to be fairly high.

Alex posted tasting notes for a couple of cask samples and they both sound excellent.

rich_n wrote: ↑00:57 Mon 15 Jun 2020 There was storm damage in the spring that significantly reduced the amount of fruit on the vines in 2018, but the rest of the season was apparently extremely favourable so while the volumes are low the quality is supposed to be fairly high.

Alex posted tasting notes for a couple of cask samples and they both sound excellent.

Yep. Apparently the damage at Noval seemed concentrated on and around the Nacional vineyard and basically wiped out the (potential) 2018 Nacional in one fell swoop.

Just had first 2018 offer from Corney & Barrow.

Noval £270/6ib
Vesuvio £282/6ib
Dow Senhora Ribeira £126/3ib

nac wrote: ↑09:21 Mon 22 Jun 2020 Just had first 2018 offer from Corney & Barrow.

Noval £270/6ib
Vesuvio £282/6ib
Dow Senhora Ribeira £126/3ib

I don't see those on their site, are they a restricted offering to existing customers/members? The Noval seems well priced considering previous years prices but that Dow SQVP price is surprising to me.

rich_n wrote: ↑10:17 Mon 22 Jun 2020

nac wrote: ↑09:21 Mon 22 Jun 2020 Just had first 2018 offer from Corney & Barrow.

Noval £270/6ib
Vesuvio £282/6ib
Dow Senhora Ribeira £126/3ib

I don't see those on their site, are they a restricted offering to existing customers/members? The Noval seems well priced considering previous years prices but that Dow SQVP price is surprising to me.

Assume inital offering is to existing customers given the small volumes.

Also had same offer for Noval from J&B. They mentioned that the 2017 was released at £340/6ib.

Surprisingly low or high? £126 for six in bond is £28.50ish DP. Isn’t that about par for undiscounted SQVP?

JacobH wrote:Surprisingly low or high? £126 for six in bond is £28.50ish DP. Isn’t that about par for undiscounted SQVP?

I assumed from the post that it was for 3 bottles.

Oh, sorry. Missed that. Unless they are magnums or its a typo then that does seem about double what you would normally expect!

JacobH wrote:Oh, sorry. Missed that. Unless they are magnums or its a typo then that does seem about double what you would normally expect!

That was my thought!

rich_n wrote: ↑10:42 Mon 22 Jun 2020

JacobH wrote:Surprisingly low or high? £126 for six in bond is £28.50ish DP. Isn’t that about par for undiscounted SQVP?

I assumed from the post that it was for 3 bottles.

Definitely £126/3ib. Suspect higher than expected price reflects small volume - 510 cases.

Gosh. They must be aiming for completionist collectors with that price. I’ve felt SdR has been overpriced since I paid about £26 for (I think) the 2006 a decade ago, especially compared to the GQdM and TQdV...

J&B have announced
Noval 2018 £270 for 6 ib Shipping August

but also re-releasing

Noval 2017 £340 for 6 ib Available now

Visited former Quinta do Convento two weeks ago. Will now be bottled as Kranemann. Very good Vintage Port 2018 and a beautiful estate:

THE FLADGATE PARTNERSHIP PRESS RELEASE
2018 VINTAGE RELEASE

On 23rd April, Taylor’s, Fonseca and Croft Ports – all members of The Fladgate Partnership - have, by tradition, announced whether they will release a Vintage Port and, if so, which wines they will bottle. The harvest of 2018 has produced an unusual situation with Taylor’s declaring a ‘Classic Vintage’, something that neither Fonseca or Croft are doing.

Commenting on the decision, Taylor’s managing director, Adrian Bridge said, “This is a year in which overall conditions were excellent but exceptional in the Douro superior. As Taylor’s is the only one of our companies with extensive land holdings in this part of the Douro, it has been able to make a Classic. All our properties are always farmed so that every grape has the potential of being made into Vintage Port.”

Head winemaker, David Guimaraens, added: “The Douro Superior enjoyed the combination of abundant ground water and hot summer weather which often produces great Vintage Port. It has given us the excellent phenolic maturity typical of a hot ripening season but the fine multi-layered fruit, fresh acidity we normally see in cooler years.”

Adrian resumed, “Although a Classic declaration normally only happens about three times a decade, the exceptional run of years has meant that Taylor’s is able to make a third in a row. This is very unusual but our principle is that we only declare a Classic Vintage when the quality is there and this is dictated by the year, not by any other consideration. Indeed, in view of the economic situation in which we find ourselves, we will bottle in July as usual but will not offer the wines until early 2021”.

Fonseca will release a 2018 Guimaraens Vintage Port, the first bottling under the Guimaraens label since 2015. Adrian Bridge remarked, “I am delighted that we are releasing Guimaraens Vintage from 2018. The Guimaraens concept is unique, a wine with the same make up and character as the classic Fonseca Vintages but made in a more approachable, early drinking style.” David Guimaraens added, “I believe that the 2018 is one of the finest recent examples of a Guimaraens Vintage, with its rich, dense woodland fruit and sturdy but well integrated tannins.”

Finally, Croft will release a 2018 single-quinta Vintage Port from its historic Quinta da Roêda estate. Adrian Bridge commented, “The Quinta da Roêda 2018 delivers the characteristic ripe fruit and scented quality which are the hallmark of the Roêda wines together with the taut tannins and freshness of the year.”

Commenting generally on the year, David Guimaraens noted, “The 2018 harvest has produced outstanding Vintage Ports, although the year was not without its challenges. These included the severe hailstorm which devastated many Pinhão Valley vineyards on 28th May including those of Taylor’s Quinta do Junco.” He added, “It is important to note that the 2018 wines have the highest colour intensity of recent vintages, always a sign of good extraction and longevity.”

DR Port (Agri Roncao) with 3.000 bottles

Quinta do Vallado declared their 2018 Vintage Port ( see their Facebookpage, post of 14-6-2020)

Axel P wrote: ↑07:23 Thu 06 Aug 2020 DR Port (Agri Roncao) with 3.000 bottles

That’s a new one for me. Have you had any of their Ports?

JacobH wrote: ↑11:20 Fri 07 Aug 2020

Axel P wrote: ↑07:23 Thu 06 Aug 2020 DR Port (Agri Roncao) with 3.000 bottles

That’s a new one for me. Have you had any of their Ports?

Below average. Except their very old tawny...

When I first read this, I thought you would be referring to their 30-40-year-old tawnies or some ancient colheitas but it turns out they actually make a Port called “Very Old”!

A bit of chatter on Twitter revealed that Quinta da Pedra Alta are releasing at 2018 next year. Assuming the price isn’t insane, I might go for this since I haven’t bought and 2018 VP yet and none of the other options have really tempted me.