Symington Family Ports Douro

The Symington family has been in Oporto since 1882. Now in its fourth generation, they own a number of firms that together form the largest family controlled, producing and shipping Company. Whilst Rogers & Company represents Quinta do Vesuvio and Gould Campbell in Ontario, the Symingtons also own Dow's, Warre's, Smith Woodhouse, Quarles Harris, and Grahams.

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Gould Campbell

Founded in 1797, the Symington family purchased Gould Campbell in the early 1960s. More a creation of the blending room than of any specific vineyard or quinta, most of the fruit comes from the Rio Torto Valley on the south bank of the Douro River in the Upper Douro. Gould Campbell produces primarily Vintage Ports, which can often offer excellent value. James Suckling reports... Gould Campbell Ports drink well 12 to 14 years after the harvest. The rough-and-tough wines evolve into polished, extremely fruity Ports with a smooth finish. Exceptional value.

Gould Campbell 1980 International Wine Challenge 1995, Silver Medal: "Tasters found an inky and a lovely sweetness of baked fruit and caramel spice. Complex, with great depth and length, this will provide exceptional drinking in the next twenty years." Decanter: "Youthful, purple, rich, blackcurrent aroma and flavour with a long firm ripe finish. Balanced fruity wine that should be good to drink in three years and will continue to develop well."

Gould Campbell 1983 "This is right up with the major-league '83s. It is extremely full and concentrated, with a massive fruit structure. Inky colour, very concentrated black currant nose, full-bodied, with tons of tannin, velvety fruit flavours and a closed finish. Truly excellent." 90 points, Wine Spectator, web only, 1989

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Quinta do Vesuvio

The flagship estate of the Symington family, this quinta was acquired from the Ferreira family in 1989. Located in the severe, parched Upper Douro Valley, 120 kilometres east of Oporto and 45 kilometres west of the Spanish border, the estate's 408 hectares include seven hilltops and thirty-one valleys straddling the Douro River. Today, 100 hectares are planted primarily to the traditional varieties Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesca, and Tinta Barroca. While the time-honoured method of treading the grapes by foot has been retained, technological innovation has been introduced in the form of a cooling system to control fermentation temperature. Vesuvio is sold exclusively as a Single Quinta Vintage Port. Although production is a significant 575 pipes, only 50 pipes or 36,000 bottles are produced each year, thus ensuring only the very finest bears the name Vesuvio. Port expert Richard Mayson perfectly sums up the quality of Quinta do Vesuvio... If ever the region were to be classified "À la Bordeaux", Vesuvio would surely end up as a 'first growth.'

Quinta do Vesuvio 1994 This young wine should be allowed to age in its own bottle for at least 15 to 20 years from the time it is bottled to achieve its optimum maturity. For those who prefer to drink their Vintage Port young, 4 to 5 years are sufficient. "This impressive wine, with an opaque ruby/purple colour, reveals excellent richness, layers of flavour, well-integrated alcohol and tannin, moderate sweetness, and a long, heady finish. Pure and impressively built, it should drink well in 5-7 years. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025." 92 points, Wine Advocate, Oct 1996

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All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

Read the small print for more information.