A superb millennium vintage throughout Portugal and particularly successful in the Douro Valley. The year began badly with the elements combining in the form of spring frosts and heavy rain at flowering time - the combined effect in the Douro was that that potential yields were reduced by as much as 40%. Summer arrived in late June and July and August were gloriously hot and dry. The warm and dry weather held throughout September and the grapes were harvested under ideal conditions. The reds are deeply coloured and display plenty of tannin and extract as well as very good fruit intensity. Time will be the ultimate judge but this could prove to be one of the finest vintages ever for Portuguese dry reds. The whites are of consistently high quality although they do not match the heights of their red counterparts.