It has come as no surprise that the major shippers have declared their 2007 Vintage Ports. The growing season was a textbook example of perfect conditions and rumours of the amazing quality of the wines have been circulating for some time.
Good rainfall in the winter replenished the vineyards after two years of little rain, and a cool spring and summer were followed by warm dry weather at harvest, leading to what Paul Symington described as "the finest possible picking conditions". The resulting Ports are marked by their purity and elegance, with a remarkable balance of fresh natural acidity and fine silky tannins. The vintage is also notable for the clarity of expression of house style for each Port.
The Port shippers all acknowledge that market conditions are very challenging, but unanimously agreed that the magnificence of the wines meant that they were compelled to declare the vintage. Yields are tiny, costs of production in the remote Douro are high, and as a euro-zone product the costs are further hampered by the declining value of sterling. The shippers have absorbed some of this cost increase in an effort to help UK customers, however prices overall have gone up by around 10% on the 2003 Vintage Ports at release.
The Port houses are quick to remind us that, in the context of the great wines of the world, vintage port remains incredible value with complexity, intensity and longevity to rival any classic wine.