Port

My favourite sub-category of tawny as this combines the freshness of youth with complexity of age: lovely reddish-tawny hue with a toffee and dried citrus character on the nose and palate, now smooth and silky with creamy texture (the concentration of age), the sweet fruit (that is the hallmark of Graham’s) offset by a streak of fresh acidity on the finish. A seamless melange of glorious flavours. (RM)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1977 Taylor Vintage Port (98VN, 97WS, 96RP, 95WE, 93JG). Vinous: "The 1977 Taylor's Vintage Port is initially tight and conservative on the nose: strawberry, baked cherry, tobacco and wild hedgerow notes emerging but remaining tight-lipped. This needs a good decant! The palate is endowed with depth and concentration, very well balanced with an attractive crispness. Perhaps you could argue that it is a 'linear' and more 'correct' Taylor's compared to the 1970 and lacks some charm. But there is immense complexity here so it is more a case of a Port demanding a very long maturation in bottle. (NM)" (06/2018)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1977 Fonseca Vintage Port (100JS, 100WS, 95JG). James Suckling: "I found a bottle of 1977 Fonseca in my cellar - probably my last. It was absolutely gorgeous. I gave this fortified wine a perfect score in its youth and I think it has finally evolved into its perfection as a mature vintage Port... This is in total balance now with such harmony. What amazing aromas of berry and flowers. Full and sweet, the tannins are complete dissolved. The fruit is perfect. This goes on for minutes. " (06/2016)

Shimmering with quiet energy, this is a scintillating Port with bright amber fruit flavors of apricot. Light in body and lasting in complexity, it captures the welcoming scent of a Port lodge in Gaia, an antique scent of old wine in old wood, of humidity enriching the fruit, revealing a creamy note of caramel-coated peaches in the middle, then turning drier, more austere in the end. A lovely 20-year-old, at the cusp of freshness and maturity.

A luscious, super-moreish tawny, with notes of sweet orange peel, mellow Madeira honey cake, almond/marzipan and salted caramel. Silky, honeyed mouthfeel, with praline to the finish. Satisfying and very complete, this 10-year-old is naughty but nice, polished and toothsome: a great execution of the house style (20cl bottle tasted). (SA)

Quinta do Noval’s Nacional vineyard is planted with ungrafted vines, rooted directly in Portuguese soil rather than on American rootstock—a distinction reflected in its name. The 2016 Nacional Vintage Port comes from this small parcel within the estate’s Douro vineyards, giving it a vineyard identity distinct from Quinta do Noval’s principal Vintage Port.

Bid on this bottle of 1978 Krohn Colheita Port. Colheita is the term used to indicate a tawny port from one vintage, and it offers something that no 20- or 30-year old, non-vintage tawny can, even one of the highest quality. What does it offer, you ask? Distinctiveness. The 1978 Krohn, made from a very small harvest in a rather difficult year, is a rich mahogany color with pronounced nuttiness on the nose and a silky texture. Wonderful with triple crème cheese. Divine with crème brulee.

Lovely deep red-tinged mahogany colour. Beautifully lifted and aromatic on the nose, just a touch of singed crocante with dried fruit, roasted chestnuts and toasted almonds. Wonderfully lithe, creamy-textured fruit on the palate, with greengage freshness plus the sweetness of an Elvas plum (160g/l residual sugar). Mesmerisingly persistent sugar and spice (and all things nice) on the finish. (RM)

A bouquet of dried blueberry and cranberry with a nutty complexity. Incredible purity and depth on the palate, offering generous notes of milk chocolate, cherry liqueur and dried berries, supported by a solid grip for longevity. Richly satisfying, with a finish that lingers endlessly. (SW)

Sweet fruit aromas and a touch minty and herbal. Well extracted and concentrated fleshy fruit palate, freshly baked jam tarts, gentle tannins, and smoothly textured. *2025 Decanter World Wine Awards*

Though the final blend comprises 25- to 40-year-old wines, with its reddish-orange topaz hue, freshness and fruit intensity, this is a relatively youthful-seeming 30-year-old. Caramelised oranges, dried apricot and fig take centre stage, with hints of café crème and toasted hazelnuts. Slinky, its gentle barley-sugar sweetness is cut with elegant acidity, making for a clean, controlled finish; 120g/L residual sugar. (SA)

Caramel bouquet embellished by a touch of wood spice. Then toffee, fudge and caramel on the palate, with ripe, red-berried fruit coming through on the finish – altogether pleasant and rich.

A ripe, forward and flattering style, with boysenberry and blackberry pâte de fruit notes melding with black licorice through the succulent, open finish. (JM)

96 Points and Gold Medal 2021 Decanter World wine awards: " Mature red fruits and toasted almonds with lovely broad creamy flavours. This has depth and subtlety leading to a fresh, exotic, spicy finish. Polished and harmonious."

Vintage Port doesn't seem like the right wine in the middle of the summer but I had an Amarone producer for dinner the other night in Tuscany and he had never drunk a wine from his birth year. He was lucky enough to have been born in 1977 - a great Port year! I found a bottle of 1977 Fonseca in my cellar - probably my last. It was absolutely gorgeous. I gave this fortified wine a perfect score in its youth and I think it has finally evolved into its perfection as a mature vintage Port. Here is the tasting note. 1977 Fonseca Vintage Port: This is in total balance now with such harmony. What amazing aromas of berry and flowers. Full and sweet, the tannins are complete dissolved. The fruit is perfect. This goes on for minutes. Drink now. But it will go forever.

Bid on this 6-half-bottle lot of 1994 Dow's Vintage Port (375ml) (99DC, 97IWR, 97WS, 96RP). Decanter: This was my pick of the vintage when it was first declared in 1996, and nearly 30 years later I feel fully justified in recommending it once again. Retaining its deep colour, opening up to reveal ripe, exotic aromas of gum cistus, eucalypt and mint, so very expressive of the Douro. Ripe, quite powerful and still tight-knit with lovely rich, minty fruit, broad yet firm tannins rising to a fresh, gripping, opulent finish (especially for Dow in its customary drier style). Now glorious to drink – it should last a lifetime. (Drink between 2023-2050) (RM) (11/2023)

Attractive dried fruit like dried persimmons and peach skins with lots of toffee and spices. It’s sweet but crunchy with dried orange and orange liquor character, with hints of saffron and turmeric. Long, spicy and floral finish. Drink or hold.

Saturated black/purple-colored, with stunning aromatics of blueberries, blackberries, licorice, and iron, this spectacular vintage port is one of the stars of the vintage. Extremely full-bodied, with silky tannin, spectacular concentration and purity, multiple flavor levels, and an evolved, forward personality, this is an exquisite yet precocious 1997 vintage port. (RP)

Quinta do Infantado has been a leader in estate-bottled Ports since 1979. Until that time, all exported Ports had to be shipped in bulk to Vila Nova de Gaia, 60 miles west of the Douro Valley, where they were bottled and shipped. This practice effectively prevented small private producers from exporting their wines, since the cost of running an operation in another town was prohibitive for these vineyard owners. In 1986 the laws were changed. The Quinta is based in Pinhão, specifically in the subdistrict of Gontelho where the best Port vineyards may be found. The estate has been owned by the Roseira family since the end of the 19th century and is now managed by brother and sister, João Roseira. Their basic Ports are outstanding examples of elegance and richness. This Ruby is dark, rich and plummy with excellent balance of fruit, acid and tannins without an overwhelming sugary or jammy flavor.

Tons of red berries and dried fruits, dates, raisins and prunes along with fresh savoury notes leading to a long lingering finish. *Silver Medal - 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards*

Taylor's 1992 Vintage Port is unquestionably the greatest young port I have ever tasted. It represents the essence of what vintage port can achieve. The color is an opaque black/purple, and the nose offers up fabulously intense aromas of minerals, cassis, blackberries, licorice, and spices, as well as extraordinary purity and penetration. Yet this is still an unformed and infantile wine. If Chateau Latour made a late-harvest Cabernet Sauvignon, I suspect it might smell like this. In the mouth, the wine is out of this world, displaying layer upon layer of concentrated black fruits backed by well-integrated tannin and structure. This is a massive, magnificently rich, full-bodied port that will be far more flattering in its youth than were such Taylors as the 1983, 1977, or 1970. It possesses awesome fruit, marvelous intensity, and lavish opulence, all brilliantly well-delineated by the wine's formidable structure. This monumental 30-50 year port is a must purchase for port aficionados! (RP)

Smith Woodhouse’s 2015 Late Bottled Vintage Port was matured in wood for four years. Bottled in 2019, without any fining or filtering, it was then aged in bottle for a further six years in the Smith Woodhouse lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, prior to release. This prolonged ageing, first in wood and then in bottle is key to the development of the rich and spice-forward aromas and flavors that give this Port a style and complexity akin to that of Vintage Port. Most LBV Ports produced today are matured exclusively in wood, filtered before bottling and placed on the market without any bottle-ageing. Smith Woodhouse’s traditional method of maturation, combining both wood and bottle-ageing, distinguishes it from most other LBV Ports currently available.

Dark and stern, leaning more to figs and dried plums than sweet red fruits, this very expressive and intense Reserva has unusual power for a Ruby Reserva and plenty of concentration for the category. One or two may have been its equal, but there was no wine in this report that showed better after being held for another two days. At that point, it still showed surprising power and coated the palate. As time went on, when a lot of the Reserves in this report fell off, this just got better. The gripping finish, even two days later, beautiful fruit and serious demeanor made it seem pretty fine. It has impressive color as well, reminiscent of Vintage Port. The complexity in the flavor profile added a key bit of distinction—it has a certain maturity to it that is appealing. The texture was velvety and sensual. Five days later, it was still intriguing and I couldn't say that about many of them this issue. (MS)

Quinta do Infantado has been a leader in estate-bottled Ports since 1979. Until that time, all exported Ports had to be shipped in bulk to Vila Nova de Gaia, 60 miles west of the Douro Valley, where they were bottled and shipped. This practice effectively prevented small private producers from exporting their wines, since the cost of running an operation in another town was prohibitive for these vineyard owners. In 1986 the laws were changed. The Quinta is based in Pinhão, specifically in the subdistrict of Gontelho where the best Port vineyards may be found. The estate has been owned by the Roseira family since the end of the 19th century and is now managed by brother and sister, João Roseira. Their basic Ports are outstanding examples of elegance and richness.

Bid on this bottle of 1990 Warre LBV Port.

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 1977 Dow's Vintage Port (97JS, 93RP, 92WS). James Suckling: "This is really glorious and refined, offering a polished and creamy texture. Complex aromas and flavors with cream, dried fruit and nuts. Medium body. Very beautiful. A refined and glorious 1977 now. Real deal. " (01/2017)

The 1935 Taylor's Vintage Port vies with the 1900 and the 1948 as the greatest Taylor's of the century. It has a deep amber core with tawny rim. The nose is flattering, more feminine and cohesive than more venerable Taylor's Ports with touches of orange zest, liquorice, spice box, rose petals and nougat. It is very complex and compelling, all exquisitely defined. The palate is just sensational: extremely concentrated, not as tannic as the 1927 but bewitching and harmonious with a silky texture. There are notes of honey, apricot, leather, tobacco and cooked meats. After two hours it develops a medicinal element. Incredibly well focused with a viscous finish with candied orange peel, lemongrass and cigar box, this multi-dimensional Vintage Port is almost too good to drink! Perfect. (NM)

Niepoort, pioneer in Douro still wines, has produced a fine, ripe Port. It is elegant with a red rose aroma, a core of tannins and a firm edge of tannin. (RV)

The 1975 vintage is not a legendary one for Nacional, but the wine is still full of charm and the complexity of full maturity. The complex and ethereal nose offers up scents of cherries, cigar smoke, heather, coffee, sous bois, clove-like spices and a touch of ginger honey in the upper register. On the palate the wine is fullish, complex and intensely flavored, with lovely filigree, moderate depth, melting tannins and lovely length and grip on the finish. This is a touch low in acidity by the very high standards of Nacional, but this is a very, very pleasant drink. Drink between 2012-2035.

Fonseca has scored in both the 1991 and 1992 vintages. The 1992 is a majestic young port that should ultimately rival, perhaps even surpass this house's most recent great efforts (1985, 1977, 1970, 1963). This colossal vintage port reveals a nearly opaque black/purple color, and an explosive nose of jammy black fruits, licorice, chocolate, and spices. Extremely full-bodied and unctuously-textured, this multi-layered, enormously-endowed port reveals a finish that lasts for over a minute. It is a magnificent port that will age well for 30-40 years.

It is young and lively, keeping the red fruit character, with red tints, some bittersweet notes, serious, balanced, juicy and tasty, with a velvety texture. (LG)

This is really glorious and refined, offering a polished and creamy texture. Complex aromas and flavors with cream, dried fruit and nuts. Medium body. Very beautiful. A refined and glorious 1977 now. Real deal.

The 1980 Taylor's Vintage Port has a deep, clear garnet colour. The nose is very backward, quite austere and conservative with notes of cherry and raspberry leaf, a touch of cigar box developing with aeration. It perhaps lacks a little joie-de-vivre, especially when compared to vintages in the 1970s. The palate is attractive though, with notes of raspberry, plum, white pepper, blood orange and a touch of apricot. This 1980 has good acidity but plays it safe, unwilling to take chances. Yet there is perceptible lushness on the finish with black plum notes despite lacking the precision of the great vintages. (NM)

Very dry in style, with a grippy alder spine carrying bitter plum, black currant and juniper notes. Shows some wild herb and violet notes as well, gaining intensity and grip through the finish. Tightly focused and very distinctive. (JM, Web-2018)

The 2000 Fonseca continues to exude finesse and focus on the nose, with pure blackberry, juniper berries, licorice and a touch of sloes, perhaps as Adrian Bridge remarked, just beginning to close after ten years in bottle. The palate is underpinned by very fine tannins, a sensual, svelte texture with wonderful acidity. The harmony and symmetry is alluring, the finish precise and demonstrating the persistency to suggest a long future ahead. (NM)

Amazingly, the importer still has tiny stocks of such legendary ports as the 1970, 1963, and 1962 Nacionals. In most vintages the production of Quinta do Noval Nacional is no more than 250-275 cases. The 1970,1963,1962 and 1994 are candidates to achieve perfect scores. Remarkably, the 1962 Nacional exhibited an even more opaque color than the 1970, as well as exquisite richness and concentration. Massive (but not in the Taylor style), this phenomenally concentrated, complex, still youthful vintage port is a tour de force in winemaking, and one of the greatest, can you believe this, young vintage ports I have ever tasted. This wine needs another 5-10 years to reach full maturity as neither the color nor aromatics reveal much development. It could easily have one-hundred years of longevity. (RP)

92 points Wine Spectator: "Shows aromas of very ripe fruit and sweet tobacco, with hints of earth and spices. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with round, velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. Likeable for its soft texture. Best after 2016. Tasted twice, with consistent notes." (05/09)

Bid on this bottle of 2015 Graham's "The Stone Terraces" Vintage Port (OWC - 98DC, 97RP, 96WS, 95WE, 93JS) in original wood. Decanter: "A site-specific wine from three small plots of northfacing terraced vineyard on the Malvedos estate: wonderfully aromatic (high percentage of Touriga Nacional) with a classic floral character; soft, rich and opulent with broad-structured tannins building and leading to a ripe, complete finish. Tiny yields: 400 cases produced. (RM)" (11/2017)

Founded by George Sandeman in 1790, Sandeman is one of the historic names of the Port trade. Fine Tawny Port is a fortified wine from Portugal’s Douro region, made in the tawny tradition through maturation in wood—a process that distinguishes the style from bottle-aged Port.

Punchy, juicy and fresh in feel, with flavors of açaí berry, mulberry and blackberry preserves that are laced with hints of licorice root, ganache and graphite. A subtle Turkish coffee hint flitters in the background. Very solid. Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. Best from 2038 through 2050. (JM)

The 2004 Quinta do Noval Nacional has a show-stopping bouquet that is cut from a completely different cloth than the 2004 Vintage. This is far more extravagant and decadent, with kirsch, camphor, incense and crushed violets exploding from the glass. You might think it was some super Barossa Syrah if you nosed it blind. The palate is intense with penetrating, citrus-fresh black currant and dark-plum fruit. It is has lovely caressing, slightly grainy textured, well-judged acidity and a composed, elegant finish. This is pure class, a hedonistic Nacional surfeit with swagger and style. Drink 2020-2050. (NM)

This is a fantastic young port with a depth and richness. Dark berry with forest flower, bark and spice. Full-bodied yet compacted and beautiful. Rich finish. Just a baby. Real and typical. Better to leave this for four or five years still.

93+ points "The NV 10 Years Old White Port bottled in 2023 has a peachy nose intermixed with some nutty and spirity hints. It has concentration and power, with a classical style and was aged in an oxidative way that gives it plenty of nutty notes and with the extract from the contact with the skins. This is a fairly recent wine, because they didn't have enough stock of white Port. They wanted to show that white Port could be a serious wine, not something to make a fresh drink, with structure, complexity and age. It has 20% alcohol and 111 grams of sugar. 3,000 bottles produced." (LG)

I drank quite a bit of the 1970 Graham’s over the course of the 1990s, but had not crossed paths with a bottle in several years until this most recent example. The wine is superb in 1970, as it displays a bouquet of voluptuous complexity, offering up scents of black cherry, plum, cedar, fresh mint, chocolate, a bit of tobacco leaf, and lovely, estery floral topnotes. On the palate the wine is focused and opulent, with fine framing acidity adding a note of precision to the attack, and with excellent freshness and balance on the softly tannic, long and creamy finish. This is a classic example of Graham’s in its more extroverted and fruit-driven style, and it should continue to drink well for the next 40 or more years.

This Port has an intense black fruit aroma and plummy taste supported by rich tannins. Poised between dryness and opulence, the wine is ripe and full with a long aftertaste. The Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribera grapes are foot-trodden at the quintas. (RV)

In a word, superb. It's full-bodied, moderately sweet and incredibly tannic, but there's amazing finesse and refinement to the texture, not to mention fabulous, concentrated aromas of raspberries, violets and other flowers. Perhaps the greatest Taylor ever, it's better than either the '92 or the '70, though it's very like the '70 in structure. Best after 2010.

Taylor's 1992 Vintage Port is unquestionably the greatest young port I have ever tasted. It represents the essence of what vintage port can achieve. The color is an opaque black/purple, and the nose offers up fabulously intense aromas of minerals, cassis, blackberries, licorice, and spices, as well as extraordinary purity and penetration. Yet this is still an unformed and infantile wine. If Chateau Latour made a late-harvest Cabernet Sauvignon, I suspect it might smell like this. In the mouth, the wine is out of this world, displaying layer upon layer of concentrated black fruits backed by well-integrated tannin and structure. This is a massive, magnificently rich, full-bodied port that will be far more flattering in its youth than were such Taylors as the 1983, 1977, or 1970. It possesses awesome fruit, marvelous intensity, and lavish opulence, all brilliantly well-delineated by the wine's formidable structure. This monumental 30-50 year port is a must purchase for port aficionados.! Also noteworthy is the fact that the 1992 Taylor commemorates the 300th anniversary of this firm, as evidenced by the special bottle Taylor used for this port. (RP)

Yummy nose, with blackberries, licorice and cherries. Wonderful. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, with ultra-refined tannins and a very long finish. Very concentrated, yet elegant and smooth. Best after 2014.