Taylor Quinta de Vargellas VV (none in 2003?)

[Marco D.]

I hear that there will be no 2003 version of this wine. Does anybody have any inklings as to why? If the vintage was that good, I would expect them to produce this bottling. Perhaps it was not up to snuff? Or perhaps quantities were too low?

[Frederick Blais]

When I visited Taylor's lodges last year, I noticed that they have made 3 pipes of Vargelas Vinha Velha. You can see my picture at this address:

http://portugal.evilloop.com/vinhas.jpg

At that time there was no indication that this rare VP would not be produced. But if Taylor feels that without this plot of vines, the quality of the regular VP could not be of Taylor's standard, they would certainly take it for the regular bottling.

Normally the Vinha Velha is not release at the same time as the rest of the VP. The 2000 came on the market 1-2 years after the 2000 first arrival on the shelves. I'll try to find more info.

[Marco D.]

Thanks for the info, Fred.

I was talking to Managing Director Adrian Bridge at a port tasting in New Canaan, CT and he assured me there would be no VV.

I guess I can now assume that the regular blend would have been compromised.