The Symington Family launch ‘Library Release’ of 1995 Quinta do Vesúvio
A limited quantity of Quinta do Vesúvio 1995 Vintage Port is being released from the family’s cellars in a new presentation reflecting the provenance and care of the wine as it has aged over several decades.
The launch is part of a new approach that the family are adopting with the re-release of limited quantities of Vintage Ports which they hold back for long-term ageing. Many of these have been aged for between 20 to 30 years and have been given the term ‘Library Release’ to indicate that bottles have matured in perfect conditions in the family’s cellars.
The label of this inaugural Quinta do Vesúvio Library Release has been redesigned to distinguish it from the initial en primeur release. For the very first time, the label shows the number of years that the wine has spent ageing in bottle, as well as the bottling and release dates. As part of the family’s meticulous approach to ageing Vintage Port, this Library Release has been carefully recorked to guarantee quality, and the label displays the year in which the process was completed.
This Library Release of Quinta do Vesúvio 1995 Vintage Port was only the seventh harvest for the family since their acquisition of the magnificent Douro estate in 1989. Peter Symington, Head Winemaker at the time, is particularly proud of this wine and believes it is one of the finest he made in the early years of the family’s ownership. 1995 also marks the year his son, Charles (now Head Winemaker) joined the family company. Now with 27 years of bottle age, the Vesúvio 1995 is showing beautifully with great finesse.
“This shows figs, salted chocolate and prunes with a subtle, pleasant, herbal note. Full and unctuous but not overwhelming, it has silky, enveloping tannins and a long, delicate finish. It will continue to age gracefully for a long, long time.”
95/100 James Suckling (9th October 2024)
“Rich and velvety and very mature and round and polished. Sleek and tannins only moderately in retreat. Rather poised. Lip-smacking and very long.”
18/20 Jancis Robinson
“A ripe and rich ’95 boasting a remarkable essence of crushed berries, this is classic Port. It’s full-bodied and quite sweet, with the velvetiest of tannins and a long, long ripe fruit finish. At its best after 2008. 3,000 cases made.”
95/100 Wine Spectator (Wine #4 Wine Spectator’s Top 100 from 1998)
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