HARVEST REPORT The winter of 2017 was extremely hot and dry. From November to March, precipitation values were very low, when compared to the average. These values allowed healthy phyto-sanitary conditions, and an absence of diseases (mildew / powdery mildew), but the lack of rain brought less vegetative expansion than what would have been desired, both in the development of foliage as in the development of the bunches. With such low values of water being recorded in the soils, plant development was limited, leading to an anticipation of about three weeks in the cycle. As the levels of sugars and acids soon approached the intended values, it became clear that it was necessary to anticipate the harvest. The red wine harvest began on the 17th with the entry of the Baga grape variety in the winery. This was followed by the Tinta Amarela and Tinta Roriz harvest (19 and 21, respectively). The first Touriga Nacional grapes entered the winery on August 24 and Touriga Franca on August 30. Having the harvest started earlier, it also ended a few days before the usual dates, with the last grapes being received on September 20th. Although the year was hot and dry, the plants resisted well to the extreme dryness recorded, keeping the foliage in good condition until the harvest. GRAPE VARIETIES Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz and Sousao VINIFICATION Resulting from a rigorous selection of the best Port wines from a single year, it is made from more than 10 grape varieties, with Touriga Franca being the dominant one. The classical vinification method is applied using our century old granite lagares, with mixed grape varieties and keeping 100% of the stems. After crushing, the must is cooled down. In the same evening of the day of the picking footreading is made in the lagares, for the duration of four hours. Fermentation begins spontaneously and the mechanical crushing is done regularly up until the pressing and addition of selected grape spirit. The wine is aged in large wooden vats and bottled 22 months after the harvest. TASTING NOTES The typical method of treading the grapes in granite lagares allowed for the expression of all the amazing characteristics of this vintage: opulent aromas, fantastic intensity, extraordinary concentration, balanced by lingering freshness. This exceptional complexity will provide long ageing potential.