Text João Pedro de Carvalho | Translation Bruno Ferreira

There are days that get us pleasantly surprised, that make us smile at the moment of discovery of a glowing something that is able to surprise us. Simply because it was unknown to us.

When at the end of a lunch I was faced with a Quinta de Val da Figueira 2007 Vintage, I recognize that that producer’s name was indeed, honestly unknown to me. Regardless, joy and grin overtook me after the first sip. Just a curiosity, in Douro a fig tree means there’s a water course nearby.

The said Quinta is not recent, even if it might go by unnoticed to the eyes of the most aware ones. In fact its history goes back to 1759. This Quinta is located on Douro’s right riverbank, near Pinhão. The property appears on Forrester’s Baron’s Map. Gaining a new life in the years 1878/1979 with the vineyards’ plantation after the phylloxera’s extinction, counting today a total of 16 hectares. The main vineyard area is now property of the current owners’ family for three generations and some of the adjacent vines for five generations. The annual production is around 110 barrels. The wines are vinified in granite lagares of foot treading.

Back to the glass on my hand, a nice 2007 Vintage, served by its owner, João Cálem Hoelzer who is responsible for Quinta de Val da Figueira since the 90’s. He followed up the work of his father, Alfredo E. Cálem Hoelzer, and his grandfather, Alfredo Leopoldo Holzer who acquired the Quinta in 1930. Back then, the wines were sold to Cálem whereas nowadays they are sold to Symington, and the little remaining part is labeled as Quinta de Val da Figueira.

There’s a reason for all of this, the ones who know me know I like much more a Porto Colheita or a Porto 20 anos than a LBV or Vintage. It all has to do with the old casks’ magic and the complexity acquired with the blending’s art, such is the case of Tawny 10, 20, 30 and 40 years. Either that or the Tawny’s characteristic aromas and tastes.

But this was a Vintage Port, which in spite of its age clearly didn’t follow the amalgam of macerated forest fruits. It did have the much needed freshness, but one not sickening, and it did not make forget about the glass, quite the opposite. The elegance that it showed captivated me to drink a bit more. The conversation developed, the wine gained complexity, giving place to others delights. The dessert had already come and this Vintage was so tasty that I no longer took my eyes off of it.

Contacts
Quinta de Val da Figueira
5085 – 220
Pinhão
Mobile: (+351) 919 573 868
Email:  jcalemhoelzer@yahoo.com
Site: www.quintadevaldafigueira.com