Croft Vintage Port 2009
Croft Vintage Port 2009
One of the original founding Port houses, Croft traces its origins to 1588 when the company was established in England by Henry Thompson, a member of the Merchants Company of York. The Croft family, who joined the partnership in 1736 and gave the firm its present name, served the Port trade with great distinction.

Croft is one of the most famous Vintage Port producers. Its reputation derives from its ownership of Quinta da Roêda, one of the finest estates in the Douro Valley, and from such legendary wines as the Croft 1945, recognised as one of the best of that landmark year.
In 2001 this distinguished and historic firm was acquired by the owners of the Taylor and Fonseca Port houses and since this return to family ownership has consolidated its position as a ‘first growth’ Vintage Port producer.

Croft’s CEO Adrian Bridge commented: “2011 will mark the tenth anniversary of Croft’s return to family ownership. Our investments at Quinta da Roêda continue to enhance the reputation of this iconic vineyard and have borne fruit in the fourth vintage to be declared since we acquired the property. It therefore gives me particular pleasure to announce the declaration of the Croft 2009”
It is the distinctive wines of Quinta da Roêda, with their characteristic scented quality, rich, round supple texture, opulent fruitiness and heady aroma, which are the cornerstone of the Croft Vintage Port style. These characteristics are clearly expressed in the wonderfully scented Croft 2009. Croft’s family owners have reverted to traditional wine making practices at the Roêda estate and head winemaker David Guimaraens commented: “The return to traditional foot treading at Quinta da Roêda means that we could bring out the best in the 2009 wines. We were able to extract all the density and the massive tannins typical of the year without sacrificing complexity and finesse.”

2009 was marked by an early start to the viticultural cycle. At Croft’s Quinta da Roêda the first buds began to appear on 8th March. The shoots were vigourous and the vines produced very healthy leaf canopies. However all varieties showed low fertility and produced a small amount of fruit. The first signs of colour in the grapes also appeared earlier than usual. The ripening season started with relatively cool conditions which continued throughout July but in August the weather turned very hot. Almost no rain fell during the summer and the very dry conditions remained into September. As a result yieds were low and musts showed above average concentration in sugar, tannin and colour. Picking at Quinta da Roêda started earlier than usual on 9th September.

Croft Port - Quinta da Roeda

Croft Vintage Ports have the merit of being supple and approachable when young but retaining a remarkable ability to age, developing layers of rich opulent flavour over decades in the cellar. The Croft 2009 is therefore an excellent choice for those seeking a Vintage Port for early drinking but capable of improving if laid down.

Owing to the very low yields at the 2009 harvest, the amount of vintage port is less than in the previous three declared years.

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TASTING NOTES
Deep purple black. The nose combines an opulent and seductive fruitiness with an intricate kaleidoscope of complex multidimensional aroma. Pungent resiny scents of eucalyptus and rock rose, notes of lychee and passion-fruit combine with exotic hints of leather, musk and cedar. The palate is round and velvety and the dense but well integrated tannins are wrapped in a cloak of succulent berry fruit flavour. The jammy fruit carries through into the finish where it is lifted by an attractive crispness and pungency.
Accolades
Wine Enthusiast, December 2011
Based on the Roêda vineyard, this opulent, fruity wine is dense, beautifully ripe, a powerhouse of sweet fruit, figs and raisins...
Based on the Roêda vineyard, this opulent, fruity wine is dense, beautifully ripe, a powerhouse of sweet fruit, figs and raisins, plum jelly and the roundest, most generous tannins. It's a wine that will show well in the next few years, but which should age magnificently.
93 points
Luís Antunes, Revista de Vinhos, Julho 2011
Fruta azul muito pura, folhas frescas, lagar, flores silvestres, muito complexo, definido, fresco e sedutor.
Fruta azul muito pura, folhas frescas, lagar, flores silvestres, muito complexo, definido, fresco e sedutor. Vivo na boca, com taninos firmes, tudo polido e envolvente, textura seca, focada. Muito longo.
Pontos 17,5
Rui Falcão, Revista Wine, Julho 2011
Cor negra muito escura. O nariz surge muito anisado, hesitando entre um ataque decididamente floral e o fundo de copo muito mais especiado....
Cor negra muito escura. O nariz surge muito anisado, hesitando entre um ataque decididamente floral e o fundo de copo muito mais especiado, com sugestões almiscaradas pouco comuns em Vintage tão jovens. Suave e aveludado, muito mais ameno que o esperado, onde os taninos comparecem bem embrulhados na seda da fruta.
Pontos 17
Neal Martin, www.erobertparker.com, May 2011
'The Croft 2009 reaffirms my opinion that this is really a house on the up, putting the pre-Taylor years when quality had declined firmly behind them and returning to the former glories of the 1920's and 1930's. Given its price, Croft comes highly recommended.'
'The Croft 2009 reaffirms my opinion that this is really a house on the up, putting the pre-Taylor years when quality had declined firmly behind them and returning to the former glories of the 1920's and 1930's. Given its price, Croft comes highly recommended.'

The 2009 Croft has a very pure pretty bouquet with ripe blueberry and dark plum-scented bouquet. Fine definition although not quite as complex as I remember the 2007 at the same stage. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, supple tannins, moderate acidity, harmonious with a plush blackberry, crème de cassis and spice-tinged finish. Good potential, although I think the 2007 has an intellectual edge. Tasted May 2011.
Score 93
Jamie Goode, Wineanorak.com, May 2011
Sweet, generous blackberry and cherry fruit dominates the nose.
Sweet, generous blackberry and cherry fruit dominates the nose. Rich, bold palate with some fruit concentration and nice structure. Freshness and ripeness here: a lovely Port.
Score 92–94/100
Jancis Robinson, Purple Pages, May 2011
Blackish crimson. Mellow, well-behaved nose. Very soft, ripe and sweet. Quite different from the Fonseca and Taylor in terms of build - less concentrated.
Blackish crimson. Mellow, well-behaved nose. Very soft, ripe and sweet. Quite different from the Fonseca and Taylor in terms of build - less concentrated. Then the tannin and, especially, acidity rise up and take you unawares at the end of the palate. Just very slightly scrawny on the finish with a tiny hint of greenness. I'd lash out on one of the more serious ports from this stable.
Score 17. Drink 2020-40
Will Lyons, The Wall Street Journal, May 2011
Dark black/purple, on the nose it is unmistakably softer and more open than the previous two with just a hint of spice. On the palate the tannins are vividly present and there is a long, dry finish.
Dark black/purple, on the nose it is unmistakably softer and more open than the previous two with just a hint of spice. On the palate the tannins are vividly present and there is a long, dry finish.
Richard Mayson, richardmayson.com, May 2011
Again, very good colour; lovely plummy aromas, minty, quite showy for a young VP; very sweet, still a bit raw with some firm tannic grip rising onto the finish...
Again, very good colour; lovely plummy aromas, minty, quite showy for a young VP; very sweet, still a bit raw with some firm tannic grip rising onto the finish, soft and flattering, very much in the new Croft style. A lovely wine for the medium term.
Score 17
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