Portugal
2017 Taylor’s, Vintage Port 6x75cl
“The 2017 Taylor's Vintage Port comes from their three quintas: Vargellas, de Terra Feita and do Junco, picking commencing at Vargellas on September 1, the earliest since 1945. Now this boasts a... bold and more flamboyant bouquet vis-a-vis the Croft with layers of blackcurrant, blueberries, violet and allspice. Wonderful definition here and as it ratchets up through the gears with aeration manages to maintain impressive delineation. The palate is medium, rather full-bodied. The first impression is one of freshness, completely disguising that summer's dryness and warmth, a disarming finesse built around the frame of tannins that would have been impossible years ago. It is a silky-smooth Taylor's, one of the most polished 2017 Vintage Ports with energy and tension flooding through the finish. Aristocratic as ever, totally Taylor's, yet still translating the growing season with aplomb. Total production is 11,500 cases.” 98 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£324 / Case£54 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Future Arrival
2017 Croft, Quinta da Roeda Serikos Vintage Port 3x75cl
“The maiden 2017 Serikos from Croft comes from the oldest vines located in Quinta da Roeda. The name refers to the quinta's involvement in silk production and the texture of the wine. It was picked... from August 31 and was notable for the density of its musts from the thick-skinned grapes. Almost opaque in colour, it has a spellbinding bouquet of intense blackcurrant, crushed violet petals and later, star anis and camphor. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannin, a silver bead of acidity that slices through the multi-layered, intense black fruit laced with white pepper and sage. This is endowed with unerring symmetry, predictably a silky texture and outstanding crispiness towards the never-ending finish. Regal. Total production is 2,425 bottles.” 97 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£300 / Case£100 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2017 Graham’s, Vintage Port 6x75cl
"The 2017 Graham's Vintage Port was picked from August 28 at Malvedos, though production is one-third less than the previous year. Here the Touriga Franca was particularly early ripening. It has an... expressive nose, a mélange of red and black fruit, fig jam, dates and touches of clove, aromatics that are very seductive if perhaps just missing the intellectual capacity of the Dow's. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, a gorgeous Graham's with hints of espresso and cloves that tincture the multi-layered fruit that veers towards black rather than red towards the finish that fans out without a care in the world. This is perhaps one of the more flamboyant Vintage Ports that is likely to drink earlier than the Dow's, yet that takes nothing away from what is a beautifully crafted Graham's. Total production is 5,250 cases." 95 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£336 / Case£56 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Future Arrival
2017 Vintage Port Mixed Case 6x75cl
Croft “The predominantly south-facing Quinta da Roêda provides the cornerstone of this vintage Port, the best from Croft since the 1960s - and it's well priced too. It's surprisingly demure on the... nose with underlying plump, juicy plums and cherries. It's similarly voluptuous on the palate initially - in true Croft style - with a wonderfully ripe, broad tannic core rising in the mouth. It's dense and rather gorgeous all the way through to a fresh, vibrant finish.” Drink 2030-2060. 96 pts., Richard Mayson, decanter.com
Dow's “The 2017 Dow's Vintage Port showed a slight reduction and required more time to really open in the glass. Typical of Dow's it has a more backward and introspective bouquet compared to its peers, scents of blackberry, clove, wild mint, cassis and vanilla, gradually gaining more intensity with aeration. The palate is simply glorious. It is built around a compelling tannic frame that seems finer than any Dow's I have encountered apart from the ethereal 2011. There is so much energy coiled up in this Port, a sense of symmetry that is enthralling and yet you just know that it needs to be cellared for 15-20 years for it to reveal its full potential. For serious Port-lovers. One of the vintages most cerebral offerings. Total production is 5,250 cases.” Drink 2030-2080. 98 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
Graham's “…It has an expressive nose, a mélange of red and black fruit, fig jam, dates and touches of clove, aromatics that are very seductive if perhaps just missing the intellectual capacity of the Dow's. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, a gorgeous Graham's with hints of espresso and cloves that tincture the multi-layered fruit that veers towards black rather than red towards the finish that fans out without a care in the world. This is perhaps one of the more flamboyant Vintage Ports that is likely to drink earlier than the Dow's, yet that takes nothing away from what is a beautifully crafted Graham's. Total production is 5,250 cases.” Drink 2030-2070. 95 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
Quinta do Noval “The 2017 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port was picked from August 21 to September 28 under perfect conditions. It has a tightly wound bouquet that requires a lot of aeration. Eventually it reveals fabulous, detailed aromas of cassis, bilberry jam, crushed stone and pressed violets, later hints of orange blossom and quince. The palate is pure class. Saturated tannins, wonderful structure but the headline is the intensity of fruit. I cannot remember a Noval with this penetration, almost overwhelming the senses as layers of effervescent black plum and cassis fruit segue into a spicy finish that fans out like there is no tomorrow. Is this the best Quinta do Noval ever?” Drink 2030-2080. 97 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
Taylor's “The 2017 Taylor's Vintage Port comes from their three quintas: Vargellas, de Terra Feita and do Junco, picking commencing at Vargellas on September 1, the earliest since 1945. Now this boasts a bold and more flamboyant bouquet vis-a-vis the Croft with layers of blackcurrant, blueberries, violet and allspice. Wonderful definition here and as it ratchets up through the gears with aeration manages to maintain impressive delineation. The palate is medium, rather full-bodied. The first impression is one of freshness, completely disguising that summer's dryness and warmth, a disarming finesse built around the frame of tannins that would have been impossible years ago. It is a silky-smooth Taylor's, one of the most polished 2017 Vintage Ports with energy and tension flooding through the finish. Aristocratic as ever, totally Taylor's, yet still translating the growing season with aplomb. Total production is 11,500 cases.” Drink 2030-2080. 98 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
Warre's“Based on fruit from Quinta da Cavadinha in the Pinhão valley, as well as Quinta do Retiro in the Torto and Quinta da Telhada upstream in the Douro Superior, this is mostly a field-blend from old vines backed by Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. It has lovely open floral aromas, so fresh and aromatic, with a touch of green tea leaf. In the mouth it has an underlying dark chocolate concentration with wonderfully pure, sweet plum and wild cherry fruit, backed by fine-grained tannins. It's wonderfully fresh and lithe, with an expansive finish and near-perfect poise.” Drink 2035-2060. 98 pts., Richard Mayson, decanter.com
£330 / Case£55 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2016 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 6x75cl
"Very dark crimson. Rich and spicy on the nose. Juicy and succulent. A hint of something almost overripe. Heady and very definitely not uptight. Sort of sprawls all over the palate in a devil-may-care fashion. Lots of fun, though the tannins are by no means insistent. Oddly readable, but lots of fun." 18 points, Jancis Robinson, 17/05/2018
£324 / Case£54 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 6x75cl
“The 2017 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port was picked from August 21 to September 28 under perfect conditions. It has a tightly wound bouquet that requires a lot of aeration. Eventually it reveals... fabulous, detailed aromas of cassis, bilberry jam, crushed stone and pressed violets, later hints of orange blossom and quince. The palate is pure class. Saturated tannins, wonderful structure but the headline is the intensity of fruit. I cannot remember a Noval with this penetration, almost overwhelming the senses as layers of effervescent black plum and cassis fruit segue into a spicy finish that fans out like there is no tomorrow. Is this the best Quinta do Noval ever?” 97 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£330 / Case£55 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2016 Croft, Vintage Port 6x75cl
"The 2016 Vintage Port is a field blend with 104 grams of residual sugar. When last seen this was in good form. Let's check in. Darker in its flavor profile than the 2017, this is more rhubarb, plums... and blackberries. The tannins have moderated a bit, but obviously this is not exactly tamed. It is coming along fast enough so you can dive in now (or soon) with some decanting, but it certainly will show better at the end of the decade (or later)." 94 pts., Mark Squires, robertparker.com
£233.34 / Case£38.89 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Future Arrival
2016 Warre’s, Vintage Port 6x75cl
"The 2016 Warre.s Vintage Port was picked from 19 September, the harvest took 10 days longer than usual in order to gain optimal ripeness. II has a tightly-wound but compelling bouquet with intense... block fruit laced with clove, nutmeg and touches of smoke. This is a Warre.s with great precision and detail. The palate is sheer class: saturated ripe tannin that belie the structure underneath. There is a symmetry about this Vintage Port and a tension that keeps you returning for more. Wow. This is one of the finest Warre's that I have tasted at declaration. Bravo! Production is 4,250 cases." 94 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£282 / Case£47 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2016 Taylor’s, Vintage Port 6x75cl
"Dense and heady on the nose with an attractive green, leafy edge. Sweet and pump on the palate with lovely bright cherry and damson fruit – nicely defined but not as big as some. Firm, tight-knit tannins on a long, linear finish which shows off the lovely purity of fruit. 6,500 cases in total." 96 pts., Richard Mayson, decanter.com
£280.02 / Case£46.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2016 Graham’s, Vintage Port 6x75cl
"The 2016 Graham's Vintage Port is inky black in colour. The bouquet is voluminous and intense, the aromas almost shrouding your head! Blackberry, black olive, clove and a touch of smoke, just a hint... of pencil box in the background. The palate is brilliant, quite brilliant. Supple tannin, a satin-like texture, perfect balance and unerring purity, this is a fabulous Graham's that effortlessly fans out and caresses the senses on the finish. This Graham's has huge potential and is going to give a lot of pleasure for many years." 96 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£300 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate