2017
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
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
2017 Sadie Family, Palladius, Swartland 6x75cl
"Palladius 2017 displays the magnitude of layers that is to be expected from a blend of 11 varietals across 17 vineyards, but unlike the previous two vintages there are more fresh fruit flavours and... the stone fruit and peach skin aromas almost suggest a cooler vintage… this is in part the result of us picking slightly earlier than usual to try and save plant reserves for the vines to deal with the drought.
This wine normally has more tropical aromas, but this year there is none of that to be found. Some white cassis and green apple skin make up a very restrained version with salty, mineral and slight honey and lime undertones.
This Palladius spends its first year of ageing in clay amphorae and concrete eggs and then an additional year of ageing of the final blend in big oak casks." - The Sadie Family tasting notes
£595 / Case£99.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Sadie Family, Palladius, Swartland 1x75cl
"Palladius 2017 displays the magnitude of layers that is to be expected from a blend of 11 varietals across 17 vineyards, but unlike the previous two vintages there are more fresh fruit flavours and... the stone fruit and peach skin aromas almost suggest a cooler vintage… this is in part the result of us picking slightly earlier than usual to try and save plant reserves for the vines to deal with the drought.
This wine normally has more tropical aromas, but this year there is none of that to be found. Some white cassis and green apple skin make up a very restrained version with salty, mineral and slight honey and lime undertones.
This Palladius spends its first year of ageing in clay amphorae and concrete eggs and then an additional year of ageing of the final blend in big oak casks." - The Sadie Family tasting notes
£99 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Samuel Billaud Petit Chablis 12x75cl
£165 / Case£13.75 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Chateau Cissac, Haut-Medoc 12x75cl
"66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot on gravel. A cru bourgeois.
Unnecessarily heavy bottle. Colour of black cherries with purple rim. Rich black fruit on the nose, a touch of cassis... leaf adding lift, surprisingly open. Sweet-fruited and with some oak sweetness on the palate too but with the savoury quality of the Médoc to balance the fruit. Finely textured and supple tannins and a lovely freshness from start to finish." 16 pts., Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
£120 / Case£10 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 San Polino, Brunello di Montalcino, Helichrysum 6x75cl
"Unique aromas of dried flowers and sandalwood with ripe black cherries. Breath-taking. It’s full bodied yet rather agile and weightless with fine dusty tannins that float across the palate. Wonderfully done for this difficult vintage. Gorgeous and delectable now. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold." 96 pts., James Suckling (Nov, 2021)
£275 / Case£45.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Penfolds, Grange, South Australia 6x75cl
£1,986 / Case£331 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Penfolds, St. Henri Shiraz, South Australia 6x75cl
£324 / Case£54 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Gianni Brunelli, Brunello di Montalcino 6x75cl
"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is beautifully bright and stitched up with extreme focus and sharpness. Sangiovese has this gorgeous ability to show linearity and lift, but it remains elegant and... tight at the same time. This wine accomplishes all of this, and that's saying a lot given the heat and drought of this vintage. The acidity is bright and the finish is long and smooth with citrusy end notes of blood orange followed by wild rose and lilac. Fruit comes from a 4.5-hectare site with sand and galestro soils. Production is exactly 15,014 bottles. Maria Laura Vacca Brunelli and her team harvested about one week early in 2017 to capture that varietal freshness." 96 pts., Monica Larner, robertparker.com
£220 / Case£36.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 La Rioja Alta, Vina Ardanza Reserva, Rioja 12x75cl
"A more vibrant and fruitier expression of Ardanza this year with strawberries, mussels, warm spices and berries. Round and silky on the palate with lovely spices and a long, nicely saline finish. A nice touch of creaminess works really well here and further extends the finish." 95 pts., James Suckling
£238 / Case£19.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2017 Didier Dagueneau Silex Pouilly-Fume 6x75cl
£775 / Case£129.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 The Schubert Theorem, The Standish Wine Company, Barossa Valley 6x75cl
£530 / Case£88.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Paul Cluver, Seven Flags Chardonnay, Elgin 6x75cl
"The 2017 Seven Flags Chardonnay was matured in French oak barrels for nine months using 31% new oak, the rest second- and third-fill. The nose is a little more closed than the Estate Chardonnay at... this early juncture, although there is a brooding intensity here. This is well defined, displaying hints of dried honey and white peach with aeration. The palate is fresh and crisp with hints of Golden Delicious and orange peel, the oak very well integrated and with an almost Meursault-like, nutty finish. Give this two or three years in bottle. Excellent. " 93 pts, Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£280 / Case£46.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Kay Brothers, Amery Vineyards Block 6 Shiraz, McLaren Vale 6x75cl
£535 / Case£89.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Sylvie Esmonin, Cote de Nuits-Villages, Rouge 6x75cl
£133.32 / Case£22.22 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2017 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Petite Chapelle La Maison Bleue 6x75cl
£245 / Case£40.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2017 Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine Mule Blanche Crozes-Hermitage 6x75cl
£115 / Case£19.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Samuel Billaud Les Bougros Chablis Grand Cru 6x75cl
£425 / Case£70.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 G.D. Vajra, Barolo, Bricco delle Viole 6x75cl
"Transparent pillar-box red. Powerful nose of dried something. Cherries? Rose petals? Perhaps both. Super-fresh, despite the alcohol, with such great presence in the mouth. It's not nearly ready but... it's clearly destined for great things. Sweet and chewy with a strong mineral undertow. Jewel-bright fruit. Real lift but more powerful than ethereal. Even slightly pungent with a whiff of cordite. Really refreshing health juice. Great stuff." 17.5 pts., Jancis Robinson, 10/3/2021
£330 / Case£55 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Domaine de Chevalier Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 3x150cl
"Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Bursting with red cherry and hints of violet on the nose, there is intrigue and joy here. The palate shows much flesh and vibrancy, with plump red berries at the... core. The acid is positively zesty yet lifts the fruit into floral tones rather than washing away the flavour. Fleet-footed and long on the finish. A wine that transparently exhibits the better elements of this vintage." 17 pts., Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
£255 / Case£85 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate