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Croft Port Croft Port Croft Port Croft Port
2017

16°C to 18°C

Bottle lying down

Recommended

Douro

Temperature
16°C to 18°C

Classic Vintage 2017

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One of the finest Croft Vintages of recent years. The imprint of Croft’s famous property, Quinta da Roêda, is apparent in the wine’s seductive fruit, silky texture and complex scented quality.

Tasting Notes: Dense inky core fading to a magenta rim. A seductive Croft nose, ripe and voluptuous but with the depth and density characteristic of the 2017 vintage. As usual, plump, juicy blackcurrant, black cherry and raspberry form the backdrop. However, the nose is soon drawn into a vortex of heady, complex aroma in which resiny scents of eucalyptus and gumcistus blend with pungent notes of sage and mint, fresh hints of grapefruit and a mellow spiciness. On the palate, firm, sinewy tannins are wrapped in a thick envelope of dense, velvety texture. As is often the case, this is one of the most exotic and beguiling wines of the vintage. However, it is also a weighty wine, dense and deeply coloured, with the concentration and stamina to ensure a long life in bottle. One of the finest Croft Vintages of recent years.

viticultural year and harvest

The vineyard cycle got off to an early start, with the first buds emerging between 8th and 10th March, in spite of the cold, dry weather. The very dry Spring stood out as a defining feature of the 2017 viticultural year. Only a few millimetres of rain fell in April, usually one of the wettest months, with May and June continuing dry. Temperatures were above average for the period. The early development of the vines continued, with flowering starting right at the beginning of May and a very early véraison making its appearance around 18th June. The drought conditions continued throughout the summer and until the end of September. July was hot but, fortunately, the temperatures in August fell to more moderate levels, particularly at night, giving balance to the ripening crop. Picking at Quinta da Roêda began on 31st August, the earliest start date for over 70 years. Winemakers’ notes refer to the exceptional density of the musts, yielded by thick skinned grapes, and for the impressive scale and richness of the wines produced from the oldest vineyard plots.

Gallery

Reviews

James Suckling
, 2019
97 Points
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"Blueberry, blackberry and dried violets on then nose that follow through to a full body, firm and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. This shows grip and some green, wet earth undertones on the finish. Stuctured. Try in 2026."
James Molesworth
Wine Spectator, 2019
97 Points
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"A beauty in the making, with waves of dark currant preserves, warmed fig and steeped blackberry fruit, all infused with chai spice, tobacco, singed alder and espresso cream accents. Very grippy on the finish, but this is long and smoldering too. Best from 2035 through 2060."
Richard Mayson
Decanter, 2019
96 Points
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"The predominantly south-facing Quinta da Roêda provides the cornerstone of this vintage Port, the best from Croft since the 1960s - and it's well priced too. It's surprisingly demure on the nose with underlying plump, juicy plums and cherries. It's similarly voluptuous on the palate initially - in true Croft style - with a wonderfully ripe, broad tannic core rising in the mouth. It's dense and rather gorgeous all the way through to a fresh, vibrant finish. "
Jancis Robinson
, 2019
17,5 Points
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" Deep purple with wide purple rim. The most red-fruited of all the Fladgate 2017s so far but lots of sweet black cherry too. Much more gentle on the palate than the Fonseca and Taylor's and less obvious length, or at least much softer and chocolatey as it fades on the palate. This is all about the fruit and has lovely freshness and lively fruit purity. Mouth-watering finish of sweetsour cherry flavours."
Mark Squires
Wine Advocate, 2019
93-95 Points
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"The 2017 Vintage Port is a field blend, not quite bottled but the final blend set for bottling in about a week. It was aged for approximately 20 months in French oak and comes in with 97 grams of residual sugar. Fresh and lively, showing vivid fruit and a clean finish, this is also nicely lifted on the finish. It is surprisingly accessible. This is also a bit more expressive at the moment than its Sērikos sibling this issue, but it's also lighter and a little less powerful. This can be one to approach young, but I wouldn't do it unless you want to sacrifice complexity and harmony."
Neal Martin
Vinous, 2019
94 Points
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"Deep purple in color, the nose is initially standoffish, checking you out before opening intense black plum and crushed violet aromas, orange blossom and veins of Seville orange marmalade. Yet it is extremely well focused, disguising the warmth of the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with a luxuriant, velvety smooth opening that lacquers the mouth. Beautifully balanced, effortless even, it gently seems to roll across the senses towards its surprisingly controlled, clove and bayleaf tinged finish that leaves a discrete tingling sensation on the tongue. Superb and probably one of the 2017 Vintage Ports that will drink sooner than others."
Roger Voss
Wine Enthusiast, 2019
93 Points
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"A beautifully juicy wine, packed with firm tannins and with great black fruits already in balance. The wine has style, never hinting too much at power, but instead going for complexity. Drink from 2030."

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