May 2008 – Spring News letter

Quinta diary

In the Vineyard

Since the start of the year climate conditions in the vineyard have been more "normal" than in previous years. Winter has been cold and wet. Temperatures were negative for long periods in December and early January, which acted beneficially as a biological disinfectant in the vineyard. We have also had lots of rain and importantly, it has been rain of the right kind! This may need some explaining...

Firstly, after 4 years of below-average rainfall, the water table needs replenishing. At the same time, with 50% of our annual rainfall coming in the months November-March, the key to adequate rainfall in the winter vineyard is for it to be timely, moderate in intensity and often.

Our "wild cover crop" – indigenous flowers and grasses- make it important to have steady rainfall in winter, as abundant rain later in spring will be accompanied by rapid growth and competition with the flowering vines (quite apart from any associated problems of mildew).

Moreover, the steep slopes will encourage run-off rather than infiltration if rainfall is too heavy. Terracing will help (provided the terraces remain in place) retain water in the older vineyard, but on the newer sections where we adopted vertical rows (and where we have younger vines with shallower root systems), water retention is much lower and therefore needs gentler showers more often. In this respect 2007/8 rainfall has been favourable, with regular rain right through from late November to late April. What now then?

Well, ideally, we would like a little more rain in mid-late June followed by hot and dry conditions through until harvest.

In the Blends

We will be offering two new wines for the 2008 season.

• PINGA 2005: A serious blend of our quinta fruit with some young fragrant Touriga Nacional varietal. 8,000 bottles released.
  • Tasting Notes (January 2008): Dark fruit aromas with richness and concentration. Full and luscious on the palate with hints of dried fruits and coffee on the finish. Ripe, balanced and structured with an evolving soft tannic texture.
  • This will be released in the autumn.
• QDM 2005: This is only made from the oldest vines at the Quinta. Bold and structured. 2,500 bottles released.
  • Tasting Notes (January 2008): Masses of ripe dark fruit with complex dried fruit flavours, prunes and damsons. Rich with fine dusty tannins. Layers of spice and fruit on the finish.
  • This will be released in late autumn.

In the Making

QDM 2006. We were happy with our January barrel tastings. Typically concentrated and rich of course, but with a lovely delicate finish. Balanced with soft ripe tannins coming through. We will be racking in May and will update the tasting notes in our pre-vintage newsletter.

In the Planning

PINGA "Rose" in 2008. This had been planned for 2007 but because of winery constraints at harvest time we decided it would be better to postpone and push this into 2008 calendar, when we could handle this better. We will post an update nearer vintage time.