TAYLOR
2018
Although this was declared in the usual way, the family decided to hold back the Taylor 2018 release until January 2021. This marks an unprecedented 'third year on the trot' for a Taylor declaration - and they are the only house to do so we were delighted to taste it over zoom with them yesterday.
As Adrian Bridge said: “Although a Classic declaration normally only happens about three times a decade, the exceptional run of years has meant that Taylor’s is able to make a third in a row. This is very unusual but our principle is that we only declare a Classic Vintage when the quality is there and this is dictated by the year, not by any other consideration."
The wine certainly warrants a full declaration. Brimming with the classic Taylor finesse and perfect poise. There is a cool line to open up then a delicate feel of beautifully ripe fruit just there - just lurking in this well-honed wine. Power and depth are here but it is so genteelly delivered this is a real treat. Already this has appeal but in 15 years it will really begin to motor and then onwards for 30 years or more. Fabulous for the cellar, and certainly a historic release. The wine certainly warrants a full declaration. Brimming with the classic Taylor finesse and perfect poise. There is a cool line to open up then a delicate feel of beautifully ripe fruit just there - just lurking in this well-honed wine. Power and depth are here but it is so genteelly delivered this is a real treat. Already this has appeal but in 15 years it will really begin to motor and then onwards for 30 years or more. Fabulous for the cellar, and certainly a historic release. "> Drinking range: 2032 - 2060L&S (Jun 2020)
In Bond
75cl bottles (wood case of 6)
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It has a classy, aristocratic bouquet, a signature note apropos Taylor’s Vintage: dense black fruit with touches of melted tar, cloves and white pepper. This just builds and builds in the glass. The palate is very harmonious with fine tannins, perfect acidity and very pure with a gentle, almost caressing second half. White pepper interlaces the black fruit with a very precise finish. Pure class. Drinking range: 2032 - 2075 Rating: 97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jan 2021)
Remarkably harmonious already, with a beautiful display of unadulterated blueberry, blackberry and plum sauce flavors that fan out, while anise, ganache and cassis accents fill in. So lush and seductive through the finish, it’s nearly drinkable. But just wait. Drinking range: 2030 - 2050 Rating: 96 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Dec 2020)
Blackish crimson. Neat-looking. Pepper and herbs on the nose – almost makes you want to sneeze. And again the voluptuous fruit almost kids you that you could drink this now but instead there is a massive charge of fine tannin underneath. This is definitely not for sipping now but is a monument for the future. Rather dry and refined as opposed to opulent. (Go to Fonseca Guimaraens for opulence.) Very long, dry and savoury overall within the vintage port canon. Drinking range: 2035 - 2060 Rating: 17.5++ Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Jan 2021)
A ‘classic’ declaration from Taylor’s: a blend from Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro Superior (‘the backbone’) and Quintas Terra Feita and Junco in the Pinhão Valley. Deep, scented (violets and esteva or gum cistus), minty too, restrained but already quite expressive; lovely pure mint and berry fruit backed by fine grained tannins which rise in the mouth to a long, level, linear finish. Not especially big but beautifully poised and very elegant. This has all the qualities of a long term keeper. It is already magnificent and will be even more so in 15 to 20 years. Rating: 19.5 Richard Mayson, www.richardmayson.com (Jan 2021)
Aromatic and expressive, this adds a big bang for a finish that reminds you that it is, indeed, Taylor’s. After opening it on the first day tasted, it tightened fast and showed the structure I like to see in serious Ports. It has that classic flavor profile as well and shows fine concentration. Even 48 hours later it had no problem showing off a little muscle, even though it drank decently at that point. The fruit is expressive, as noted, but it is still a bit closed just now. Drinking range: 2028 - 2065 Rating: 95 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Sept 2020)
The 2018 Taylor’s Vintage Port comes predominantly from two vineyards: Quinta de Vargellas and Quinta de Terra Feita. It has a classy, aristocratic bouquet, a signature note apropos Taylor’s Vintage: dense black fruit with touches of melted tar, cloves and white pepper. This just builds and builds in the glass. The palate is very harmonious with fine tannins, perfect acidity and very pure with a gentle, almost caressing second half. White pepper interlaces the black fruit with a very precise finish. Pure class. Drinking range: 2032 - 2075 Rating: 97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2020)
Taylor
Taylor, Fladgate and Yeatman is one of the oldest and largest port houses, and owns the renowned brands Fonseca, Fonseca-Guimaraens, Croft and Taylor. Based in Oporto and the Douro Valley, it is an independent company which is still family-owned and managed. Widely renowned for its vintage ports, which are blended from the finest wines from its three iconic 'quintas', Taylors is also credited with being the originator of the Late Bottled Vintage style of port.