2001 Port & Douro Vintage
A very wet winter, little rain from April to August, a large crop, and mid-weight, mostly single-quinta Ports, with Quinta do Noval declaring Nacional.
2001 followed one of the wettest winters since records began, and mild, humid conditions brought an early bud-burst in March. From April the weather cleared, with only 110mm of rain until the end of August, and flowering under optimum conditions gave a large crop. After the unanimous 2000 declaration, most shippers declared either single-quinta Port or under their second label; the exception was Quinta do Noval, which declared Nacional. Decanter rates the year 3/5 and describes the wines as mid-weight, mostly single-quinta, and soft and supple now.
Growing season
2001 came after one of the wettest winters since records began, and mild, humid conditions led to an early bud-burst in March. From April onwards the weather cleared, and only 110mm of rain fell until the end of August. Flowering took place under optimum conditions, and with ground-water supplies thoroughly replenished there was a large crop. Temperatures were uneven during August, but rain at the end of the month helped to swell the grapes. The weather was generally fine during picking, with warm days and cold nights.
- Early bud-burst in March after one of the wettest winters since records began
- Only 110mm of rain from April to the end of August; flowering under optimum conditions
- A large crop, and generally fine picking weather with warm days and cold nights
- Rated 3/5 by Decanter: mid-weight wines, mostly single-quinta, soft and supple now
- One of the wettest winters since records began, then an early bud-burst in March
- Only 110mm of rain fell from April until the end of August
- Flowering under optimum conditions and replenished ground water gave a large crop
- After the unanimous 2000 declaration, most shippers declared single-quinta Port or under their second label
- Quinta do Noval declared Nacional, made in tiny quantities
Declarations
After the unanimous declaration in 2000, Decanter judged it would have been surprising if the main shippers had declared 2001 as well. Most declared either single-quinta Port or under their second label. The exception was Quinta do Noval, which declared Nacional, made in tiny quantities and, in Decanter's words, "certainly one of the best wines of the vintage."
- Most shippers declared single-quinta Port or under their second label
- Quinta do Noval declared Nacional, made in tiny quantities
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Decanter rates 2001 3/5 and describes mid-weight wines, mostly single-quinta, that are soft and supple now. Its list of the best wines of the vintage includes Quinta do Noval Nacional, Fonseca Guimaraens, Niepoort Secundum, Pocas, Quinta das Carvalhas, Quinta dos Canais, Quinta do Panascal, Quinta do Vesuvio and Quinta Senhora da Ribeira.
- Decanter rating: 3/5
- Decanter's best wines include Quinta do Noval Nacional, Fonseca Guimaraens and Niepoort Secundum
- Winter and spring: one of the wettest winters since records began, then an early bud-burst in March.
- Season: only 110mm of rain from April to the end of August, flowering under optimum conditions and a large crop.
- Declarations: after the unanimous 2000 declaration, most shippers declared single-quinta Port or under their second label; Quinta do Noval declared Nacional.
- Rating: Decanter gives 2001 3/5 for mid-weight wines, soft and supple now.
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