Conditions
2014 was characterized by above average rainfall throughout the year, particularly in January, February, July and September. There were unusual storms during June and July. In terms of average temperatures, January was above the usual average and August fresher than what is common in the region. Throughout spring and summer there had to be
extra care to prevent from mildium, oidium and some rot, but all grapes sourced appeared in great sanitary condition. Harvest appeared to be quite advanced at the beginning, however, rainfall delayed picking and also reduced probable alcohol levels in the grapes. We saw a relative increase in production per hectare this year, with a very high quality for
the resulting wines.

Grape Origins
Our family has worked in the Douro for 15 generations. Throughout this long history, there have been three main valleys where we have grown grapes. VVV Valleys shows the unique character of the Pinhão, Torto and Douro river valleys, where we have found vineyards that we feel express the Douro we have known for many centuries. These are plantations with more than 35 years of age, with a mixed plantation of many varieties, showing the true Douro old Vines.

Vinification and aging
All our grapes were foot trodden in lagares for 1 to 3 days before fermentation, and then fermented partially in lagar and partially in stainless steel tanks for 7 to 10 days at temperatures ranging from 22° to 27° Celsius, with manual pump overs. We then racked the resulting wines in French oak 225-liter casks from various coopers (Seguin Moreau, Taransaud, Nadalie, François Frères and Berthomieu), where they go through malolactic fermentation. All wines are then carefully aged for 21 months in barrels (100% one, two and three-year-old), keeping all different fermentations completely separate until the final blending takes place, just about one month before the bottling of the wines.

Analysis
Alcohol: 14,3 % vol
Total acidity: 5,10 g/l
Volatile acidity: 0,70 g/l
pH: 3,71
Total SO2: 100,0 mg/l
Total sugars: < 0,6 g/l

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