Warre`s Port 2000

Wine Style:  Port wine (fortified)

Vintage:  2000 

Country:   Portugal

Region:  Douro Valley

Producer:  Warre`s 

Grape Variety:  Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesca, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional

Alcohol:  20%

Bottle Size:  75cl

Drink from 2020 to 2040

Wine maker: Charles Symington

Winemaking:

Warre’s has always been a leading producer of Vintage Port. Warre’s Vintage Ports are peerless in their expression of poise and elegance. Whereas some other Vintage Ports can be almost overwhelming in their richness, Warre’s Vintage wines combine elegance, length and balance whilst still retaining the underlying rich opulence of great Vintage Port. This unsurpassed style is derived from the inherent characteristics of Warre’s two principal vineyards: Quinta da Cavadinha and Quinta do Retiro Antigo. They complement each other very well. Cavadinha’s location, aspect and altitude translate into a cooler ripening cycle providing the freshness, fine subtle floral aromas and ideal acidity, the latter contributing significantly to the wines’ longevity. Retiro Antigo’s location in the hotter Rio Torto Valley, combined with the fact that just over 70% of the vineyard is made up of old, mixed vines, results in wines that show great intensity, concentration and complexity. Their powerful structure also provides great staying power. Over the next few years, fruit from Quinta da Telhada will gradually be added to offer an even wider dimension to what is already one of the Douro’s most accomplished Vintage Ports. With its high proportion of Touriga Nacional plantings at an ideal age, this vineyard is set to become an invaluable component of future Warre’s Vintages.

Grape Varieties: Old Vines

Fact about permitted grapes in Port Wine

Port Blend

There are around 40 different grape varieties permitted in the production of Port - however the vast majority of Ports are produced from a blend of 5 grapes - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cão.

Touriga Nacional produces small, dark-skinned grapes that produce opaque black wines of great extract and high tannins - it gives grip, body, and structure to the blend.

Touriga Franca has a thinner skin and consequently produces wines lighter in colour and tannins than Touriga Nacional. It contributes fruit, aroma, suppleness and roundness.

Tinta Roriz is the Portuguese name for Tempranillo and its high sugar content and low acidity contribute colour and fruit.

Tinta Barroca which is normally grown at highish altitudes and on north-facing slopes, is prized for producing wines of delicacy, finesse and with smooth, velvety fruit. It brings elegance and sweet, ripe fruit to the final blend.

Finally Tinto Cão produces fine and complex wines, though it is probably the least important of the 5 grapes as its painfully small yields have reduced plantings to almost insignificant levels.

General Info:

Producer - Warre

The firm that eventually became Warre’s was established in 1670. Two Englishmen, William Burgoyne and John Jackson opened offices in northern Portugal as Burgoyne & Jackson - initially a general trading company, exporting wines, olive oil and fruit, as well as importing dried cod and English woollen goods. Over time, the company admitted new partners and its name changed accordingly; in 1718 it traded as John Clark, then in 1723 it was known as Clark & Thornton and finally in 1729, it became Messrs. Clark, Thornton & Warre, with the arrival of the first Warre in Portugal. By the close of the 18th century, Warre’s had become one of the leading companies as illustrated by the total shipments of Port for 1791. Today, Whilst the majority of Port is now made with modern methods using state-of-the-art vinification technology, a small proportion is still produced by the time-honoured method of treading.Warre’s continues to make some of its Port by treading in stone ‘lagares’ (shallow treading tanks). The Upper Douro is one of the last places in the world where traditional treading has been maintained. This is not done to entertain visitors but quite simply because it continues to produce some of the best Ports. However, the old lagares require manpower, an increasingly scarce resource in the Upper Douro and temperature control is difficult. In order to address these problems, Warre’s winemaking team developed the world’s first pur
Typically for Warre, this is a big, powerful wine, packed with lots of deep concentrated fruit, wrapped in a rich, rounded tannic structure.

Warre`s is the oldest, continuously British-owned brand, as well as one of the most distinguished. The firm that became Warre’s was established in 1670. Two Englishmen, William Burgoyne and John Jackson opened offices in northern Portugal as Burgoyne & Jackson which was initially a general trading company.

Over time, the company admitted new partners and its name changed accordingly; in 1718 it traded as John Clark, then in 1723 it was known as Clark & Thornton and finally in 1729, it became Messrs. Clark, Thornton & Warre, with the arrival of the first Warre in Portugal, William Warre.

By the end of the 18th century, Warres was already one of the leading Port companies. In 1791 they accounted for 10% of the total amount of exported Port, competing with 21 companies altogether.

It currently thrives under the ownership of the Symington family, who have furthered its quality with the purchase twenty years ago of the Quinta da Cavadinha, an estate with nearly 100 hectares of highest-quality vines in the Rio Torto valley.

The structure, style and superb quality of Warre’s Ports are defined by its vineyards. Its main and largest vineyards include Quinta da Cavadinha, Quinta de Retiro Antigo and Quinta de Telhada. Further to these, Warres also produces from a collection of other vineyards that are privately owned by members of the Symington family. These include Quinta do Alvito and Quinta das Netas.

In more recent years, the brand has caught up with Dow (they are both owned by the Symington family); and, while Dow's is a firmer-styled wine, Warre's has a distinctive character that leans towards perfectly balanced, elegant wines which often reveal astonishing qualities on the nose.

Tasting Notes:

Very dark inky and concentrated colour. Lovely fresh aromas of violets. Layer and layer of ripe blackberry fruit, intensely rich and full bodied. Sweetness and tannins bind this wine together to form a perfect harmonious structure.

Before Serving Suggestion

The wine should be opened and decanted one hours before being served. If you don`t intend to consume the full bottle, please get in contact with us and we will advise you how to keep your wine for longer.

Serving temperature at 15ºC to 16 ºC

Food Pairing:
One of the best pairings with Vintage Port is cheese (creamy cheese, blue cheese) but it can also be enjoyed alongside many desserts, or simply on its own.

95 pts Bob Campbell - Very dark inky and concentrated colour. Lovely fresh aromas of violets. Layer and layer of ripe blackberry fruit, intensely rich and full bodied. Sweetness and tannins bind this wine together to form a perfect harmonious structure.

Reviews and Awards:
. 95 points in Bob Campbell;
. 92 points in Jamie Goode;
. 91 points in Robert Parker;
. 91 points in CellarTracker;
. 91 points in Stephen Tanzer;
. 91 points in Wine Spectator Magazine;
. 18 points in Jancis Robinson;
. Silver medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2010.