PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s). 2012 Quinta da Pacheca Vintage Port 1 x 0.75L 2015 Quinta da Pacheca Late Bottled Vintage Port 1 x 0.75L 2017 Quinta da Pacheca Late Bottled Vintage Port 1 x 0.75L 3 Bottles Port Wine DESCRIPTION Among the valleys of the Douro River, near the left bank, in the village of Cambres, Lamego county, in the heart of the first Pombaline demarcation of the Region, is Quinta da Pacheca, one of the most prestigious and recognized properties in the Douro Demarcated Region. The history of the vineyard in this property dates back to the XVI century when it was a collection of vines that belonged to the Monasteries of Salzedas and St. João de Tarouca, as referred to in a document dating 1551. The estate is mentioned for the first time in a document dated from April 1738 where it is referred to as “Pacheca”, a feminine form of the family name Pacheco for being owned for a lady, Da. Mariana Pacheco Pereira, an imposing woman who took care of the property by herself. One of the Pombaline landmarks remaining that were first used in 1758 to outline this first ever Demarcated Wine Region in the world by the Marquês de Pombal, is still preserved inside Quinta da Pacheca, right at the main entrance to the traditional stone tanks. These granitic stone marks were declared property of national interest in the 1940s. It was in 1903 that D. José Freire de Serpa Pimentel bought the property and began to work on the modernization of the vineyard and structures among which are eight granite stone tanks where red wines from Pacheca are still vinified, resulting in limited annual productions of special categories Douro DOC wines and Port wines. With around 75 hectares of own vineyards planted in the Humanity World Heritage, classified by UNESCO in 2001, Quinta da Pacheca has always been focused in the production of quality Douro DOC and Port wines and was one of the first in the region to bottle DOC wines under its own brand. It was in 1977 that the commercialization of DOC wines with the brands of Quinta da Pacheca and Quinta de Vale Abraão started, which vineyards still belongs to Quinta da Pacheca today, under the leadership of the pioneer D. Eduardo Mendia Freire de Serpa Pimentel who was the first in Portugal to produce white wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Nowadays, Serpa Pimentel family continues involved in the project with the fourth generation of the family. In 1995 Quinta da Pacheca officially began its project in wine tourism opening its doors for guided tours to the property and sale of its wines in Quinta’s store. The concept was developed over the years with other activities of relevant wine tourism interest and resulted with the opening of The Wine House Hotel Quinta da Pacheca in 2009, thus exploring another form of business and contributing to broaden the tourism offer in an increasingly sought region and recognized as a destination of excellence. WINEMAKERS: Maria Serpa Pimentel. -> 2012 Quinta da Pacheca Vintage Port 1 x 0.75L AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS Silver Medal, Decanter World Wine Awards Silver Medal, International Wine Challenge WINE VARIETIES: Traditional red grape varieties of the Douro region originally from Old Vineyards. VINIFICATION The year 2012 started with a very dry and cold winter. Budding began in the first weeks of March, but the spring remained cool and rainy in April and May, which caused a delay in the growth of the vines. In the months of June and July the climate warmed, which promoted the growth of vegetation. However, the berries and bunches ended up being smaller than normal. Ripening occurred normally and harvesting began on September 20th, with excellent quality fruits. The wine remained in old national oak barrels for around a year. Its quality was approved in 2014 and considered excellent, and was then designated as Vintage Port. TASTING NOTES On the nose it has a vigorous fruity character. Notes of apricot appear as the wine opens in the glass, followed by warmer notes of dark chocolate. The palate is practically overwhelmed by rich black fruit flavors and dense, compact tannins that provide impressive volume and abundance. SERVING Should be drunk slightly fresh at the end of the meal accompanying cheeses or dark chocolate desserts. Should be served between 16 and 18ºC. -> 2015 Quinta da Pacheca Late Bottled Vintage Port 1 x 0.75L -> 2017 Quinta da Pacheca Late Bottled Vintage Port 1 x 0.75L AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS 16.5 Points, Jancis Robinson (2015 Vintage) 17 Points, Vinho Grandes Escolhas (2016 Vintage) WINE VARIETIES: Traditional red grape varieties of the Douro region originally from Old Vineyards. VINIFICATION Pacheca Porto LBV results from old vines grapes that were transported in chests of 25 kg, subject to a strict sorting at the entrance of the winery. After destemming and crushing they are taken to a traditional stone tank where they were trodden by men for 3 hours on the first day. During the fermentation, smooth reassembles are done for blanket leaching and extraction of phenolic and aromatic compounds. Then, brandy is added to stop the fermentation. It aged in 600 liters casks where it remained for about 4 years. It was bottled without filtration being subject, during its aging, to create a slight deposit. 2015 TASTING NOTES A dark violet colour. Excellent complexity and intense aroma with fresh notes of soft dried fruits and more concentrated notes of ripe wild berries. The flavour is elegant and evolves in harmony to a wine with excellent volume and a robust structure. Robust tannins but gently polished. It finishes with great freshness, elegance and intensity. 2017 TASTING NOTES Presents a dark violet color. It reveals excellent complexity and an intense aroma with fresh notes of stems, soft nuts notes and more concentrated mature wild fruits notes. The mouth has an elegant beginning evolving in harmony for a wine with excellent volume and solid structure. Firm tannins but smoothly polished. Finishes with great freshness, elegance and intensity. SERVING Should be drunk slightly fresh at the end of the meal accompanying cheeses or dark chocolate desserts. Should be served between 16 and 18ºC.