The Symington family are one of the great names in Portugal’s Douro Valley, and this is one of the region’s greatest wines. The family’s historic Quinta do Vesuvio estate, with its vast expanse of terraced vines in the remote Douro Superior area, has long been revered for its vintage Ports. But in recent years, Vesuvio’s red wines have earned their place among Portugal’s most thrilling fine wines.
Order by midday on Friday 29th August
At The Wine Society, we’re proud to be longstanding champions of Portuguese wine, and even prouder to share this exceptional new vintage ahead of its wider release. Thanks to our close relationship with the Symingtons, we are the first in the country to offer the 2022 Vesuvio red; a privilege we’re thrilled to pass on to our members, giving you the chance to secure stocks before the wine hits the rest of the market.
This is a wine that stirs the senses. It’s dark and brooding on the nose with cassis, brambles, peppercorn and fennel, then deeply flavoured and full on the palate, with velvet-textured tannins and beautiful freshness. It’s a wine of drama and power, lifted by the aromatic finesse of high-altitude touriga nacional, hand-harvested from the estate’s prized Quinta Nova vineyard at 450 metres.
The 2022 vintage was shaped by an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures reaching 47°C, and less than a third of the usual rainfall by late August. But Vesuvio’s old vines, some planted as far back as the 1940s, showed extraordinary resilience. A cooler September arrived, bringing much-needed relief and ensuring balance and finesse in the final wine. The result is a triumph of terroir and meticulous winemaking: a deeply impressive red, matured in top-quality French oak (80% new) to enhance structure and ageing potential.
Already considered one of the top names of the Douro, Vesuvio continues its rise to prominence. As critical acclaim builds and global interest grows, this is exactly the moment to buy. The price will only head one way and for lovers of fine wine, this is one to follow.
Quinta do Vesuvio 2022 Vintage Symingtons
