Unlike London buses and Bordeaux vintages where 2 in a row is excepted and sometimes fairly common, in the world of Vintage Port they don’t like to declare two vintages in a row. Both 2015 and 2016 have been excellent vintages so which one to declare? Some like Cockburns and Noval have declared while Taylors, Fonseca and Croft have released Port from their top vineyards, called Quintas. These ‘Single Quinta’ releases are half price of the normal, full declaration and offer brilliant value for money. Yes, you can buy Taylors and Fonseca In Bond at only £20 per bottle, and it is a good to very good vintage.
All 2015 Vintage Port will be available from November 2017.
Taylor’s 'Quinta de Vargellas' Vintage Port 2015
94 Derek Smedley
Deep ruby-black core with a narrow purple-red rim. A classic Vargellas nose, fine, elegant and poised with a linear surge of pure singing, woodland infused with a plummy freshness and hints of citrus and fresh quince. A subtle spiciness, with hints of nutmeg, anise and cacao, emerges from behind the fruit. The tell-tale Vargellas floral scent is more reminiscent of jasmine than the signature aura of violets and mingles with the minty, resiny notes of wild herbs. A discreet minerality provides an attractively firm edge. Typically of Vargellas, the palate is supported by taut, sinewy tannins and the grippy finish delivers a burst of clean, fresh berry fruit flavour. A very fine single-quinta Vintage Port, confident and in perfect balance.
Fonseca 'Guimaraens' Vintage Port 2015
96 Derek Smedley
Opaque purple-black at the centre with a very thin, purple edge. A classic Fonseca nose redolent of heady, woodland fruit, powerful but also very fine and complex. The dense blackberry and blackcurrant aromas form the backdrop for a display of fresh, minty, balsamic scents and resiny notes of gumcistus and wild herbs. Discreet hints of exotic wood, liquorice and black pepper provide an additional dimension of complexity. The thick, tightly-woven tannins provide both firmness and volume to the palate which is built around a core of dense, dark berry fruit. Plummy, raspberry flavours emerge on the long, luscious finish, giving it an attractive crispness and lift. Fonseca’s 200th anniversary year has produced an exceptional Guimaraens Vintage Port, expressive and approachable but with the stamina to improve over many years in the cellar.
Croft 'Quinta Da Roeda' Vintage Port 2015
92 points Derek Smedley
Both nose and the start of the palate are fresh a mix of bramble and red fruits a hint of spice. Under the freshness on the mid palate there is the richness of ripe black cherry more depth of flavour the sweetness underpinned by tannin all a bit tight and although there is a more generosity at the back the finish is firm lacking a bit of depth.
Cockburns Vintage Port 2015
97 Derek Smedley, 94 James Suckling
Spring violets the nose has freshness fragrance the start of the palate bramble and bilberry. Rich in the middle the fruit is ripe the palate velvet smooth fleshy and supple with at the back fresh fruits giving a lighter feel the finish has purity and elegance.
If you would like any help or more information on 2015 vintage Port, please call the office on 01325 776446 or email wine@bcfw.co.uk.
