My Personal thoughts on the 2009 Port Vintage
Samantha and I tasted all the 2009 Ports at the London International Wine Trade Fair (LIWTF) in May at Excel. We tasted some single Quinta (Vineyard) wines from Warres (only about 200 cases produced) and Quinta do Vesuvio. Incredibly small volumes, hugely concentrated with slightly raisons / dates characters. We went on to taste the Fladgate Partnership ports which consists of Taylors, Fonseca, Croft and Skeffington. We tasted them with Adrian Bridge, CEO at The Fladgate Partnership.
The Fladgate Partnership ports are in a totally different class. Impressive, mega sweet fruit, juicy, concentrated with power, structure but also with a fantastic acidity / lift that put them in a different sphere in my view. I asked Adrian why have they made a first class vintage and yet Dow's and Graham's haven't declared. He didn't really want to answer in case he was seen to be slagging off the competition (Fair enough), however reading between the lines either they either mis-read when to pick or they simply picked too late.
“In over three centuries of making great ports, we have seldom seen four outstanding vintages come along in a decade. Like the great landmark vintages of the early twentieth century, the '09s are built for long term ageing” Adrian Bridges
“we have not seen colour intensity and tannic grip like this over twenty years. In addition the quality of the fruit is impressive and the wines are supported by excellent acidity” David Guimaraens The Fladgate Partnership's head winemaker.
Taylors 2009
12 x 75cl Taylors Vintage Port 2009 £390 In Bond
6 x 75cl Taylors Vintage Port 2009 £200 In Bond
Going back and forth, the Taylor's 2009 has a lighter nose than the 2007 with precise dark cherry, Seville orange, fresh fig and a hint of scorched soil. The palate is full-bodied packed with ripe black cherries, fresh fig and white pepper; very harmonious and focused although I feel that the 2007 has a little more depth and persistency. Very pretty and very pure, this Taylor's may well put on weight with a couple of years in bottle and merit a higher mark. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 95 POINTS
Taylors 'Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009
Limited – still waiting to see if I have an allocation. Let me know and I will do my best. One for the Wine collector.
3 x 75cl Taylors 'Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009 £270 In Bond
“The Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009 has a more introverted than Taylor's Vintage, an earthy bouquet with touches of orange essence developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good backbone, quite reserved and composed at the moment. This is not a flamboyant Vinha Velha, but there is a very attractive, slightly biscuity quality towards the finish. Superb. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 94 POINTS
Fonseca 2009
12 x 75cl Fonseca Vintage Port 2009 £380 In Bond
6 x 75cl Fonseca Vintage Port 2009 £195 In Bond
“The Fonseca 2009 has a very ripe sweet prune and fig-tinged bouquet that is very precocious. Touches of smoke, raisin and dark plum begin to emerge with time, though it needs to evolve a little more cohesion. The palate is full-bodied with saturated tannins, luscious dark berried fruit, touches of pomegranate, fig and dates that lead to a gently grippy, persistent finish. This is a fine Fonseca, but I wanted it to give me more flamboyance and brio. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 93 POINTS
Croft 2009
12 x 75cl Croft Vintage Port 2009 £310 In Bond
6 x 75cl Croft Vintage Port 2009 £160 In Bond
“The 2009 Croft has a very pure pretty bouquet with ripe blueberry and dark plum-scented bouquet. Fine definition although not quite as complex as I remember the 2007 at the same stage. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, supple tannins, moderate acidity, harmonious with a plush blackberry, crème de cassis and spice-tinged finish. Good potential, although I think the 2007 has an intellectual edge. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 93 POINTS
Finally, One for the Children, Grand Children and God Children.
Vintage Collection Tri-Pack 2009
This contains 1 bottle of each Taylors, Fonseca and Croft in a wooden presentation box
3 x 75cl Vintage Collection Tri-Pack £110 In Bond
Current Duty level on Port is £28.94 ex vat per 12x75cl, £14.47 ex vat per 6x75cl and £7.24 ex vat per 3x75cl bottles. VAT is at 20%. The Port will arrive in Bond in January 2012. There is a chance it may arrive before Christmas but the 'time window' is small and difficult to guarantee.
These wines are under allocation. If you would like to buy these please contact us.
