2016 Quinta do Vesuvio Capela Vintage Port

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Wine Spectator - "Showy and vibrant, with stunning, pure waves of açai berry, blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry confiture flavors spilling forth, barely harnessed by a mouthwatering anise note and a long briary spine. Just as this nearly teeters from its fruit, this is reined in by terrific drive and cut though through the extremely long finish, thanks to a wellspring of acidity. Best from 2035 through 2060."


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The 2016 Capela da Quinta do Vesúvio Vintage Port is principally a field blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão and Alicante Bouschet, coming in with 109 grams of residual sugar. It shows even drier. If the regular Vesuvio was pretty terrific, this is even better. Not quite as lush and sexy, it is tighter, better textured and more intense. Bursting with flavor too, this has rich chocolate-cherry nuances and a long, long finish. This is pretty super, one of my favorite wines in this vintage. Yes, everyone talks about The Stone Terraces (including me; if this isn't my favorite of the vintage so far, The Stone Terraces is). Let's talk more about Vesuvio and Capela, though. The Symingtons struck gold with this Quinta and this bottling. This is unsettled, but it may yet merit an uptick in score. It seems like a superstar in the vintage."


Wine Enthusiast - "The wine is dense, packed with great fruits and tannins, dark and concentrated, and full of perfumed black fruits. It is a wine that makes a great statement of ripe fruits and tannins for long-term aging. Drink from 2028."


Decanter - "Only the third Capela vintage to be released, from 90-year-old vines as well as co-fermented Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Franca and Sousão from neighbouring plots. More sullen and brooding on the nose than the straight Vesuvio wine and it’s deliberately drier in style, although there is a similar underlying ripeness. As well as rich, fleshy cherry and plum fruit notes with dark chocolate intensity, backed by powerful, ripe, broad tannins."


James Suckling - "This a tiny-production vintage Port from old vines planted in a particular parcel near the winery that are at least 60 years old. Full-bodied, tight and linear with beautiful dark fruits and intense tannins. Very focused and beautiful. The splendid tannins show through here. Drink in 2023."