Croft : Vintage Port 2007

Characteristics and tasting advice for Croft Vintage Port 2007

Tasting

Appearance

The color reveals a deep purple hue with magenta highlights, reflecting the wine’s youth and concentration.

Nose

Powerful and aromatic, the nose reveals an abundance of ripe, fleshy fruit, accompanied by exotic notes of eucalyptus and rockrose, the hallmark signature of Quinta da Roêda. Floral touches and a hint of spice complete this complex, vibrant bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this vintage port is juicy and generous, with discreet, beautifully integrated tannins. The palate unfolds with bright black fruit supported by a spicy, earthy framework. The long, elegant finish reveals aromas of black cherry, blackberry jam, and a touch of citrus that brings freshness and definition.

Food and wine pairings

This vintage port is an ideal match for dark chocolate creations, a board of aged cheeses with walnuts, or can be enjoyed on its own as a digestif.

Serving and cellaring

Croft Vintage Port 2007 can be enjoyed now but will continue to improve until around 2040. Decanting before serving is recommended.

An elegant, fruit-driven vintage port from the Douro

The estate

Founded in 1588, Croft is the oldest Port house still in operation. Acquired in 2001 by the Fladgate Partnership, the estate has regained its former prestige under the technical direction of David Guimaraens. Croft owns the prestigious Quinta da Roêda, a 109-hectare estate located in Pinhão, in the heart of the Douro Valley. This historic property, acquired in 1875, is the jewel of the house’s winegrowing heritage and produces wines defined by their generous fruit and distinctive rockrose aromas.

The vineyard

The Quinta da Roêda vineyard spans around 109 hectares in the Duriense region, in the heart of the Douro Valley in Pinhão. The vines, planted on schist soils overlooking the Douro River, benefit from optimal exposure. These schist soils give the wines their fleshy, vigorously fruit-forward character, with hallmark aromas of rockrose, an aromatic shrub emblematic of the terroir. The vineyard counts around 332,000 vines, producing grapes of exceptional quality for the house’s vintage ports.

The vintage

The year 2007 in Portugal began with a wet winter, replenishing water reserves after four hot, dry years. Spring and early summer were marked by moderate temperatures and regular rainfall, creating ideal conditions for vine development. August marked a turning point, with a significant drop in rainfall and a rise in temperatures. September delivered outstanding harvest conditions, with steady temperatures between 35 and 38°C and dry weather, allowing the grapes to reach perfect ripeness while retaining excellent natural acidity.

Winemaking and aging

Vintage Port 2007 is crafted using traditional methods, with foot treading in granite lagares, preserving the finesse of the tannins. Fermentation is stopped by adding grape spirit to retain the fruit’s natural sugars. The wine is then aged for around 18 months in wooden casks before bottling, where it will continue to evolve and develop complexity over the decades.

Grape varieties

A blend of traditional Douro varieties including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão, and Tinta Amarela.