2005

2005, a year that produced some good and interesting wines despite the extremely dry conditions.
 

TASTING NOTES

2005 was a particularly good year for the Touriga Franca variety making the hallmark of the Vintage rich and floral wines with very attractive firm, but soft tannins.

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

With only 6 millimetres of rain in June and none at all in July and August, the vines were showing signs of severe stress at the end of August. Last winter was extremely dry; to the extent that the measured rainfall at Dow's Quinta do Bomfim from November 2004 to end September 2005 was just 220.98 mm. The 15-year average on this estate for these 11 months is 584 mm, so the region has suffered a drop in rainfall of an astonishing 62%. Hence the plague of forest fires all over Portugal the summer.

It is not surprising therefore that there was very real concern about the forthcoming harvest as August drew to a close with no sign of any rain. Picking of the younger vines started early, those that were less than 5 years old, struggled to obtain enough moisture due to their less developed root system.

On the 6th September the weather changed and steady rain fell for several hours. Picking stopped following further rain on the 9th to allow the much-needed rain to have its beneficial effect. The rain was followed by clear skies giving perfect conditions (cool nights and heavy dew) for the remainder of the harvest.

VINIFICATION

Sugar graduations dipped after the initial rain before climbing back to good levels. The grapes filled out and the skins softened, producing musts with deep purple-black colours and attractive aromas.

Good flowering and fruit-set earlier in the year played an important role in ensuring that yields were only slightly down on the norm. There were plenty of bunches even if the berries themselves were small. Roriz gave smaller yields, while the Barroca, Touriga Franca and the Nacional achieved normal quantities.

WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS

"2005 has proved once again the amazing ability of the vine to overcome very tough conditions. It was astonishing to see the small green berries fill out, turn dark red and ripen with such limited moisture in the soil. Nature was very kind to us with rain on the 6th and 9th, followed by a succession of beautiful sunny days.

We are confident that some very interesting and very good Ports will have been made in the Douro this year."

Charles Symington
Pinhão, September 30th 2005

ALSO IN 2005:

- Based on estimates by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2005 was the warmest year since reliable wide-spread instrumental measurements became available in the late 1800s.
- George W. Bush is inaugurated in Washington, D.C. for his second term as the 43rd President of the United States.
- Millionaire Steve Fossett breaks a world record by completing the first non-stop, non-refueled, solo flight around the world in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer.
- Papal conclave, 2005: Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) succeeds Pope John Paul II, becoming the 265th pope.

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