The Symington family has unveiled two limited-edition Ports from the historically small 2020 vintage: Graham’s 2020 Bicentenary Edition Vintage Port and Warre’s 2020 Vinhas Velhas 350th Anniversary Edition Vintage Port.
The 2020 harvest was the smallest of the 21st century so far, according to a press release. Nonetheless, the year produced highly concentrated, “well structured, intensely coloured wines.”
After reviewing the best prospects from the company’s finest properties, Head Winemaker Charles Symington reviewed the concluded that the Cima Corgo sub-region of the Douro had produced the most outstanding wines. Thereafter, the family decided to release two special edition vintage Ports from Graham’s and Warre’s, drawn exclusively from the best-performing parcels from their Cima Corgo estates.
“2020 was an especially challenging year in the Douro,” said Charles. “The region saw record heat waves which substantially reduced yields compared to our initial forecasts – around 40% down. Grape varieties that usually ripen sequentially needed to be picked at the same time. We adapted to the conditions and picked parcels by their altitude and co-fermented select varieties together, producing incredibly complex and concentrated wines. I am very proud of the two limited Graham’s and Warre’s 2020 Vintage Ports. These wines demonstrate the benefit of our family’s multi-generational knowledge of our estates and their microclimates, allowing us to produce such elegant wines in a year like 2020. I believe they are a fitting tribute to Graham’s 200 years and Warre’s 350 years and are destined to take their place among the greatest Vintage Ports from these two historic port houses.”
Just 3,000 bottles of Graham’s 2020 Bicentenary Edition 2020 Vintage Port will be released, alongside only 2,400 bottles of Warre’s 2020 Vinhas Velhas 350th Anniversary Edition 2020 Vintage Port.
Both 2020 vintage Ports will be available in mid-June.
For more information, head over to the Symington Family Estates’ official website.
In September, Graham’s launched its 2017 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port in three new brightly colored tubes.
