A major rain storm hit the Douro region last Friday dropping 34 mm of rain on Pinhao. This was only the second day of rain since May. It has marked the change from the very hot dry conditions that we have had so far to more typical autumn weather. Rain continued on Saturday, Sunday was dry, but more rain is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Taylor's Port has so far been able to complete over half of the harvest in the fine, warm conditions that prevailed. We also had a week’s warning of the impending storm and therefore were able to focus picking on the oldest vines which tend to produce the most concentrated wines. The result has been that some exceptional young Ports have been made with good intensity of flavour and colour.
Although last Friday’s rain will have mostly been absorbed by the dry soil it is expected that the rain due on Tuesday and Wednesday will be taken up by the grapes and start to dilute them. Our focus has therefore been to pick as fast a possible.
The last year when we had such conditions was in 1992 – a year that stood out for its small production of outstanding Vintage Ports. However, we will wait until next February, the moment when we normally assess the prior year, to determine how much of what we have made might later be considered by us as worthy of bottling as a Vintage Port.