2007 ist von allen Namhaften Produzenten zum Vintage Port deklariert worden und die Kritker geben Höchstnoten. Kommentare von Richard Mayson, Portweinkritiker: Smith Woodhouse **** Very good black-crimson colour; quite opulent and spicy (cinnamon) with a touch of tar; big, rich, impressive, broad tannic structure and legnth, Focused, fine. As always, very good value. Drink from 2024. 17.5/20 Punkten The 2007 Port Vintage is not comparable to any other that I have tasted in my career. The wines have a wonderful purity. The vibrant fruit that is so expressive of the Douro shines through clearly on the nose and palate. The 2007s have a freshness and vivacity that I have not seen at this stage before. 'Elegance' and 'poise' are words that crop up frequently in my tasting notes, particularly among the best wines which are supported by fine, tight-knit tannins. This is not a blockbuster, blackstrap vintage and there are no few stewed, cooked raisiny or pruney flavours (cp. the hot vintage of 2003). Some wines have a green edge, a sort of hedgerow character on the nose and there are some wines that are clearly under-ripe. The big question I keep asking myself whilst is when to drink the wines. Some (e.g. Croft, Silval) can be drunk now and I think this is a vintage that we will be able to dip into with pleasure over a long period of time (40 years plus in the case of the best wines), given the undeniable balance, acidity and purity of many of the wines. Peter Symington who has 45 vintages under his belt and retires this year compares it with 1970. If that is the case the 1970s went through a long period of sullen adolescence and the best wines took 30 years to emerge. Only time will tell. Some wines, notably Gould Campbell, Quarles Harris and Smith Woodhouse should be slightly cheaper than they were in 2003 and, given their quality, these are likely to be the bargains of the vintage.