Quinta Retiro Novo Port 2004 Vintage

Quinta do Retiro Novo 2004 (wooden case) 2004

Douro, Portugal 

2004

20% ABV 

Tasting notes

Full-bodied and loaded with fruit, this single quinta Port has layers of black cherry, dark bramble fruits, grippy tannins and vibrant acidity. 2004 is widely regarded as a fine vintage for Single Quinta Ports.

Food match

An unfiltered Port, so decant, and serve with well-matured blue cheese.

Production

Wiese & Krohn's estate Quinta do Retiro Novo is located in Sarzedinho, a small village in the Rio Torto valley. Quality is determined by the grape varieties, by the age of the vines, their method of training and the density of planting. All these factors are officially converted into points, the sum of which determines the final classification of the property. Here, this sum exceeds 1200 points, ensuring it belongs to a select group of "Class A" properties. Summer was hot in 2004 followed by a wet September but finally more sun pushed up sugar levels before harvest. After harvest, old lagares (open granite tanks about 75cm high) are still used to make the best Ports with traditional foot treading of the grapes without any mechanical crushing. This Port was aged for a couple of years in wood and several years in bottle before release. It has the potential to age for around 25 years or more.