We are delighted to announce that we have secured a small allocation of the Taylor Fladgate Partnership 2018 Vintage Ports: Taylor's Vintage, Fonseca 'Guimaraens' Vintage and Croft 'Quinta Da Roêda' Vintage.
In a live Q&A tasting direct from the lodges in Vila Nova di Gaia; David Fonseca Guimaraens (Winemaker) and Adrian Bridge (Managing Director) talked and tasted us through the 2018 vintage, confirming that "overall conditions were excellent, but exceptional in the Douro superior", and therefore had no hesitation whatsoever in declaring a vintage for a third time in row. Bridge further stated that "we only declare a Classic Vintage when the quality is there and this is dictated by the year, not by any other consideration."
In addition, Guimaraens explained that 2018 is an excellent vintage and for him combines the "freshness and purity of 2016, with the firmness and ripeness of 2017".
A must have for any Port lover, as well as an ideal gift for grandchildren and godchildren for future drinking. We have limited availability so please do get in touch if interested in purchasing a case or two for the cellar.
Taylor's Vintage 2018 | £325 IB (6x75cl)
"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.” Drink 2033-2065. 98/100 points. Richard Mayson (Decanter).
“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." Drink 2032–2075. 97/100 points. Neal Martin (Vinous).
"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." Drink 2028-2065. 95/100 points. Mark Squires (Wine Advocate).
“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." Drink 2035-2060. 17.5++/20 points. Jancis Robinson MW.
"Classy and concentrated nose of black plum, cassis and kirsch that intermingle with hints of mint and liquorice spice. Silky, pure texture on the palate and wonderfully integrated with incredible power that is balanced by ripe, juicy tannins. Luscious and complex with plenty of spice and tension." James Goodhart.
Fonseca 'Guimaraens' Vintage 2018 | £125 IB (6x75l)
“The 2018 Guimaraens Vintage Port...has a rich and opulent bouquet with black cherries, stewed figs and dates. The palate is sweet and fleshy on the entry with black fruit, tar, desiccated orange peel, Xmas cake and juniper berries. I admire the harmony of this Vintage Port. The firm structure only becomes apparent towards the finish. Wonderful length on the aftertaste, the mouth stained with Port for 60 seconds after. Excellent." Drink 2030-2065. 95/100 points. Neal Martin (Vinous).
“The second label for Fonseca, a blend from Quinta do Panascal in the Távora Valley and Fonseca’s estates in the Pinhão Valley. Lovely, ripe expressive dark chocolate concentration on the nose, this really sings from the glass; dense and voluptuous on the palate, super-ripe and plummy with luscious texture backed by firm, gravelly tannins that extend to a broad, gripping finish. Glorious. This will be a keeper.” Drink 2030-2065. 95/100 points. Richard Mayson (Decanter).
“Blackish crimson. High toned and alluring on the nose. Quite a bit of structure and something suggestive of fireworks. This is the business for a vintage port! The sort of wine that would probably have qualified as a full-blooded Fonseca vintage port a few decades ago. Peppery and fiery and yet the tannins are subsumed under the fruit. We’re having steak tonight and I am tempted to drink this with it." Drink 2030-2050. 17.5/20 points. Jancis Robinson MW.
"A pronounced, serious and wonderfully complex nose of blackberry and black plum fused with subtle, underlying liquorice spice. Luscious and juicy on the palate with impressive intensity and structure - plenty of poise and precision that leads through onto further black fruits, coffee with added damson and sloe notes." James Goodhart
Croft 'Quinta Da Roêda' Vintage 2018 | £95 IB (6x75cl)
“Ripe and expressive, this delicious single-quinta Porto also has fine concentration and some pop on the finish. Indeed, as this sits and airs out, it proves it has a real backbone. Two days later, it was pretty tight. This is more about fruit than structure, though, and this sexy, nuanced and succulent Port is going to be hard to resist as it ages. Likely to be accessible on the younger side, it should still hold very well. For the moment— and young Ports do change notably as they age— this would be my favorite of the trio." Drink 2027-2060. 94/100 points. Mark Squires (Wine Advocate).
“The 2018 Quinta da Roeda Vintage Port has an intense nose of black fruit mixed with raisin, fig, cloves and a touch of boot polish. The palate is well balanced with quite a strict, terse opening, very spicy with black pepper, cloves (again) and bay leaf. Broody at first but opening with time to reveal a very attractive and complex, structured finish with hints of tobacco and smoke. This is a lovely nascent Quinta da Roeda." Drink 2030-2065. 93/100 points. Neal Martin (Vinous).
“From Croft’s flagship estate just upstream from Pinhão: fragrant, slightly herbal -hedgerow character with a hint of chocolate on the nose; lovely round, well- defined plum and cherry fruit flavours, fresh, firm and accessible, very nicely balanced, backed by firm tannins and a long lithe finish. Mid-weight, middle distance wine for drinking in ten years or so.” Drink 2028-2050. 88/100 points. Richard Mayson (Decanter).
"Attractive, forward nose of savoury black plum and black cherry. Wow! Mouthwatering and seductive thanks to the juicy core, silky tannins and vibrant, multi-layered palate of tayberry and red and black currants with hints of coffee, clove spice and eucalyptus." James Goodhart.
Please note prices quoted are In Bond (ex-Duty and VAT), per case 6x75cl.
