Taylor Fladgate Vintage Porto 2016 / 750 ml.

Item#: 48239

SP9898 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2018
This is packed with raspberry, blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors that play off one another, melding with anise, fruitcake and ganache notes. A warm tarry edge coats the finish, revealing an echo of bramble. A seriously grippy, strapping Port, this revels in its power. Best from 2032 through 2055. 6,200 cases made. (James Molesworth)
WE9898 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/1/2018
Ripe, structured while also fruity, this intense, perfumed Port is opulent while also elegant. Its tannins and great fruit are finely integrated and are rich with potential. Black fruits, berries and a juicy aftertaste add freshness to the wine. Drink from 2028.
VN9797 pts. - Vinous - Jun 2018
In 2016 Taylor’s began picking in Vargellas on 17 September, followed by Pinhão Valley estate on 23 and 26 September. The 2016 Vintage Port has an aristocratic bouquet with tight wound aromas of blackberry, bilberry, crushed stone, black olive and a light, marine-tinged element, perhaps almost peat-like. The palate is just beautiful with fine, chiseled tannins and a perfect line of acidity. There is that almost “arching” structure one always seeks in a great Taylor’s with a gentle but insistent grip towards the finish. It is everything you really want from a Vintage Port. Production is 6,200 cases.
RP94+94–96 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 19th Jul 2018
The 2016 Vintage Port is a field blend set to be bottled about a week after this tasting. It was the final blend. It was aged for 20 months in wood and comes in with 102 grams of residual sugar. The Croft might be as rich — although I don’t think so; we’ll see as they age — but this is more expressive right now. The most delicious of the three Fladgate Group offerings, this has the sexiest fruit, although the Fonseca seems to have more pure power. Even allowing that it had a fair bit of air, this was showing surprisingly well for young Taylor’s. That is speaking relatively, of course, because this still has power and energy. Personally, this year I’d definitely pick Fonseca, though. Fonseca just seems to have a little more upside potential. With Port, of course, things change over the decades. This is a first look, not a final word.

Limited Inventory

Store Location: RR2A | 6 question-mark-circle

This is the location where you can find this item at our store.

'W' means it's located along the wall. 'RR' means it's in our Reserve Room. Otherwise, the item can be found on our sales floor in the marked aisle.

3 items or less in stock. We will confirm your order by email.

Usually ships within 24 hours. Also available for same-day pickup at our store.

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional | All Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca

location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

food-icon

Food Pairings: 2018

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

spectatorlist-icon

Wine Spectator Top 100 selection - 2018 | #23

From the Producer

Deep purple with a narrow magenta rim. Notes of pure, intense woodland fruit with lively accents of green apple, plum and raspberry. Around this core of bright fruit is a heady aura of herbs. Exotic notes of cedar wood and jasmine provide an additional dimension of complexity. Sinewy, linear tannins that integrate seamlessly into the mid palate and re-emerge to hold the wine in a confident grip. Energized by a racy acidity, the intense berry flavors continue to build into the long finish.

How to Get It (Select available options below at checkout)

pickup-icon

Store Pickup

Available

In-Store/Curbside

1-2 Hours

FREE

Prestige Wine & Spirits, 3410 Amelia Dr, Orchard Park, NY 14127

shipping-icon

Ship to Home

Available

to select states

ships within 24 hours

Rates vary by location

Enter address at checkout for applicable rates.

delivery-icon

Local Delivery

Available

near our store

within 24 hours

Rates vary by zip

Enter address at checkout for applicable rates.

More from this Producer

Taylor Fladgate

Critical Acclaim

SP98 98 pts. / Wine Spectator (Dec 31, 2018)

This is packed with raspberry, blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors that play off one another, melding with anise, fruitcake and ganache notes. A warm tarry edge coats the finish, revealing an echo of bramble. A seriously grippy, strapping Port, this revels in its power. Best from 2032 through 2055. 6,200 cases made. (James Molesworth)

WE98 98 pts. / Wine Enthusiast (12/1/2018)

Ripe, structured while also fruity, this intense, perfumed Port is opulent while also elegant. Its tannins and great fruit are finely integrated and are rich with potential. Black fruits, berries and a juicy aftertaste add freshness to the wine. Drink from 2028.

VN97 97 pts. / Vinous (Jun 2018)

In 2016 Taylor’s began picking in Vargellas on 17 September, followed by Pinhão Valley estate on 23 and 26 September. The 2016 Vintage Port has an aristocratic bouquet with tight wound aromas of blackberry, bilberry, crushed stone, black olive and a light, marine-tinged element, perhaps almost peat-like. The palate is just beautiful with fine, chiseled tannins and a perfect line of acidity. There is that almost “arching” structure one always seeks in a great Taylor’s with a gentle but insistent grip towards the finish. It is everything you really want from a Vintage Port. Production is 6,200 cases.

RP94+ 94–96 pts. / Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate (19th Jul 2018)

The 2016 Vintage Port is a field blend set to be bottled about a week after this tasting. It was the final blend. It was aged for 20 months in wood and comes in with 102 grams of residual sugar. The Croft might be as rich — although I don’t think so; we’ll see as they age — but this is more expressive right now. The most delicious of the three Fladgate Group offerings, this has the sexiest fruit, although the Fonseca seems to have more pure power. Even allowing that it had a fair bit of air, this was showing surprisingly well for young Taylor’s. That is speaking relatively, of course, because this still has power and energy. Personally, this year I’d definitely pick Fonseca, though. Fonseca just seems to have a little more upside potential. With Port, of course, things change over the decades. This is a first look, not a final word.

Description / Taylor Fladgate Vintage Porto 2016 / 750 ml.

Producer Notes

Deep purple with a narrow magenta rim. Notes of pure, intense woodland fruit with lively accents of green apple, plum and raspberry. Around this core of bright fruit is a heady aura of herbs. Exotic notes of cedar wood and jasmine provide an additional dimension of complexity. Sinewy, linear tannins that integrate seamlessly into the mid palate and re-emerge to hold the wine in a confident grip. Energized by a racy acidity, the intense berry flavors continue to build into the long finish.

Where It's From

Country / Portugal

View more wines from Portugal

Portugal is most famous (and justifiably so) for its Port wines, fortified wines that are typically sweet and often served with dessert. Port wines come in many styles such as Tawny, Late Bottled Vintage, etc, and are classified by how they were produced.

Besides Port, however, Portugal is also one of the fastest-rising wine countries in the world (as far as quality and production) when it comes to table wines. You'll find some unbelievable values in Portuguese table wines, with grapes like Touriga Nacional at the forefront.

More Information

SKU 48239
Product Type Wine
Alternate Name Taylor Fladgate Vintage Porto
Country Portugal
Region Douro
Product Location - Location-Appellation Porto
Package Size 750 ml.
Proof/Alcohol by Volume 20%
Brand Taylor Fladgate
Bottles per Case 12
Spirit/Port Style Vintage Port
Vintage 2016
Bin Location 6
Can it be Shipped Yes
Premier Pick No
Awards and Accolades Wine Spectator Top 100
Wine Spectator Top 100 Ranking 23
Wine Spectator Top 100 Year 2018
Wine Type none
Grape(s) Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
Primary Grape Touriga Nacional
Food Pairing 2018
Occasion Pairing 23
Dollar Sale (Y/N) No
Same Region, Same Vintage, Same Grape
WE9191 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 7/1/2021
One of the original Late Bottled Vintage brands, this continues to set a fine style. This latest release is full of black fruits that have been softened by extra wood aging. At the same time, the richness of the wine shows strongly and emphatically, giving a Port that has density and ready drinkability.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

Limited Inventoryinformation-circle We'll confirm your order by email.

4 items or less in stock.

$23.99

Only $21.59 each when you buy a solid or mixed case

Add to Wishlist

Add to Compare

Graham's Vintage Porto 2016 / 750 ml.

2016 / 750 ml.

Item #: 48598

SP9898 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2018
This offers a distilled plum and boysenberry essence, with a racy feel, as spearmint and graphite notes drive through. As the finish kicks in, this turns toward the dark side, with ganache, charcoal and tar elements. Has the showy ripeness of the vintage but is backed by a decidedly dry feel on the finish, imparting a sense of precision despite the heft. Best from 2030 through 2055. 6,325 cases made.
WE9797 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/1/2018
This finely structured wine is powered by fine tannins and rich fruits. A touch of acidity comes through the rich berry flavors and the concentration of the dark tannins. This wine will certainly age, don’t drink before 2028.
RP9595 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 19th Jul 2018
The 2016 Vintage Port is a blend of 37% Touriga Nacional, 42% Touriga Franca and various others. It comes in with 115 grams of residual sugar. A bit bigger than Dow’s this year, this is more intense as well. The better wine of these two benchmarks seems to be this Graham’s. Tight on the finish, aromatic and very flavorful, this actually opens rather well and shows off its lovely fruit. The Dow’s will be approachable a bit earlier, perhaps, and this may reward aging even more. As always, Graham’s is wonderfully delicious. That’s one hallmark of the house. I’m not sure this is a truly great Graham’s, but at the moment, it is enticing, with plenty of potential for improvement. There were 6,325 cases produced, plus some bottles in other formats.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

Compare at $125.00 $100.00

You save:$25.00 (20%)

Add to Wishlist

Add to Compare

SP9898 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2018
This is distinctive from the start, with a youthfully rambunctious display of dark currant, fig and blackberry fruit paste flavors liberally spiked with bramble, Turkish coffee and ganache notes. As the fruit pumps through the finish, a tarry spine adds a bristling, mouthwatering edge. Sports more obvious grip and is a touch drier in style than most of its peers. Best from 2035 through 2055. 6,000 cases made.
RP9797 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 19th Jul 2018
The 2016 Vintage Port is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão and Sousão, aged for 18 months in old wood. It comes in with 82 grams of residual sugar. This was in bottle for only about seven weeks when seen, but I made sure at least some of it had a lot of air. It looks super, with plenty of room to grow in the cellar. Christian Seely likes to say that this regular Noval and the Nacional are not better than one another, just different. In fact, I usually prefer Nacional, but in this vintage I make a case for equality and endorse that view.
VN9494 pts. - Vinous - Jun 2018
The 2016 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port is a blend of Touriga Naçional, Touriga Franc, Tinta Cão and Sousão, all foot-trodden and aged in wooden casks for 18 months. It has a voluminous, warm and inviting bouquet that positively “bulges” with damson, bilberry, crushed violets and blackcurrants, all beautifully defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with a feisty, spicy opening: black fruit laced with cracked black pepper, clove, cardamom and a pinch of sea salt. Whilst the aromatics have all the “fun”, the palate is more “serious”, as if compensating for the nose with a sense of reserve and restraint. Together they make for a fascinating, quite mercurial Quinta do Noval that should age gloriously over the next 30 years.
WE9292 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/1/2018
Very ripe fruit give this wine a surprisingly soft texture. It has generous tannins to go with this opulent fruitiness. The wine is going to age relatively quickly, so drink from 2026.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

Compare at $125.00 $100.00

You save:$25.00 (20%)

Add to Wishlist

Add to Compare

Fonseca Vintage Porto 2016 / 750 ml.

2016 / 750 ml.

Item #: 48237

JS9898 pts. - JamesSuckling.com - Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Lots of ripe fruit here with raisins and wet earth that turn to violets and hot stones. Full-bodied, tannic and powerful with fantastic grip and intensity. Grabs you. Impressive. Drink in 2025.
SP9797 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2018
This leads in with bramble, spearmint and blueberry notes, with the energy extending through the core of dark plum, blackberry and fig fruit. The finish features a strong graphite spine, allowing this to draw deep water, but this remains stylish in feel overall. The definition of suave. Best from 2030 through 2055. 4,900 cases made.
WE9797 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/1/2018
This bottling brings together a fine structure with great fruit to give a luscious wine that is also destined for long-term aging. With its ripe berry flavors sustained by some acidity, this is already balanced. Drink from 2028.
RP96+96–98 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 19th Jul 2018
The 2016 Vintage Port is a field blend that was not quite bottled when seen (set for a week later), but it was the final blend. It was aged for 20 months in wood and comes in with 99 grams of residual sugar. This Fonseca is remarkably expressive, lifted and gloriously fresh. It has good concentration but some years have had more and seemed sexier. However, the most notable feature is the structure. It is very impressive in structure, that classic Port power and firmness coming to the fore and overshadowing the rest at the moment. This is very tight and very unevolved. Don’t even think of buying it if you aren’t prepared to cellar it. The 2030 start date that I have will not be even close to late enough if you want harmony and complexity. To me, this is the best of the three 2016s from the Fladgate Group this issue (Croft and Taylor being the other two), thanks to its pure intensity, but time will tell if it becomes as sexy as I’m sure Taylor’s will be. In the meanwhile, Fonseca looks like one of the greats of this vintage.
VN9696 pts. - Vinous - Jun 2018
The 2016 Fonseca Vintage Port began to be picked on 21 September at their Panascal vineyard, their Quinta do Cruzeira vineyard not picked until 6 October. It is deep, almost inky in colour. The bouquet is very intense with luscious black fruit laced with embers, clove and hints of bay leaf. There is wonderful purity here and a broodiness that suggests you’d better be patient. The palate is sweet and lively on the entry with some gorgeous ginger and curry leaf notes littered over the compact black fruit. There is wonderful density to this Fonseca. It is like a coiled spring with so much energy towards the finish that you just know this will be a long-term prospect. Superb. Production is 4,900 cases.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

Compare at $125.00 $99.99

You save:$25.01 (20%)

Add to Wishlist

Add to Compare

Related Products

Navigating through the elements of the carousel is possible using the tab key. You can skip the carousel or go straight to carousel navigation using the skip links.
Fonseca Vintage Porto

2016 / 750 ml.

Item #: 48237

JS9898 pts. - JamesSuckling.com - Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Lots of ripe fruit here with raisins and wet earth that turn to violets and hot stones. Full-bodied, tannic and powerful with fantastic grip and intensity. Grabs you. Impressive. Drink in 2025.
SP9797 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2018
This leads in with bramble, spearmint and blueberry notes, with the energy extending through the core of dark plum, blackberry and fig fruit. The finish features a strong graphite spine, allowing this to draw deep water, but this remains stylish in feel overall. The definition of suave. Best from 2030 through 2055. 4,900 cases made.
WE9797 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/1/2018
This bottling brings together a fine structure with great fruit to give a luscious wine that is also destined for long-term aging. With its ripe berry flavors sustained by some acidity, this is already balanced. Drink from 2028.
RP96+96–98 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 19th Jul 2018
The 2016 Vintage Port is a field blend that was not quite bottled when seen (set for a week later), but it was the final blend. It was aged for 20 months in wood and comes in with 99 grams of residual sugar. This Fonseca is remarkably expressive, lifted and gloriously fresh. It has good concentration but some years have had more and seemed sexier. However, the most notable feature is the structure. It is very impressive in structure, that classic Port power and firmness coming to the fore and overshadowing the rest at the moment. This is very tight and very unevolved. Don’t even think of buying it if you aren’t prepared to cellar it. The 2030 start date that I have will not be even close to late enough if you want harmony and complexity. To me, this is the best of the three 2016s from the Fladgate Group this issue (Croft and Taylor being the other two), thanks to its pure intensity, but time will tell if it becomes as sexy as I’m sure Taylor’s will be. In the meanwhile, Fonseca looks like one of the greats of this vintage.
VN9696 pts. - Vinous - Jun 2018
The 2016 Fonseca Vintage Port began to be picked on 21 September at their Panascal vineyard, their Quinta do Cruzeira vineyard not picked until 6 October. It is deep, almost inky in colour. The bouquet is very intense with luscious black fruit laced with embers, clove and hints of bay leaf. There is wonderful purity here and a broodiness that suggests you’d better be patient. The palate is sweet and lively on the entry with some gorgeous ginger and curry leaf notes littered over the compact black fruit. There is wonderful density to this Fonseca. It is like a coiled spring with so much energy towards the finish that you just know this will be a long-term prospect. Superb. Production is 4,900 cases.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

Compare at $125.00 $99.99

You save:$25.01 (20%)

Add to Wishlist

Add to Compare

Graham’s Vintage Porto

2016 / 750 ml.

Item #: 48598

SP9898 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2018
This offers a distilled plum and boysenberry essence, with a racy feel, as spearmint and graphite notes drive through. As the finish kicks in, this turns toward the dark side, with ganache, charcoal and tar elements. Has the showy ripeness of the vintage but is backed by a decidedly dry feel on the finish, imparting a sense of precision despite the heft. Best from 2030 through 2055. 6,325 cases made.
WE9797 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/1/2018
This finely structured wine is powered by fine tannins and rich fruits. A touch of acidity comes through the rich berry flavors and the concentration of the dark tannins. This wine will certainly age, don’t drink before 2028.
RP9595 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 19th Jul 2018
The 2016 Vintage Port is a blend of 37% Touriga Nacional, 42% Touriga Franca and various others. It comes in with 115 grams of residual sugar. A bit bigger than Dow’s this year, this is more intense as well. The better wine of these two benchmarks seems to be this Graham’s. Tight on the finish, aromatic and very flavorful, this actually opens rather well and shows off its lovely fruit. The Dow’s will be approachable a bit earlier, perhaps, and this may reward aging even more. As always, Graham’s is wonderfully delicious. That’s one hallmark of the house. I’m not sure this is a truly great Graham’s, but at the moment, it is enticing, with plenty of potential for improvement. There were 6,325 cases produced, plus some bottles in other formats.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

Compare at $125.00 $100.00

You save:$25.00 (20%)

Add to Wishlist

Add to Compare

More from this Producer
RP98+98–100 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 11th Jul 2019
The 2017 Vintage Port, not quite bottled when seen but the final blend, is a field blend aged for approximately 20 months in wood. It comes in with 100 grams of residual sugar. A step up (or two) on the 2016, this shows fine depth, more focus, vivid fruit and serious power. It’s not particularly thick, austere or astringent, but this is built for the long haul. It is potentially a great Taylor’s, effortlessly combining brilliant fruit and structure. It tastes great now (today, it is far more vivid than its Vinha Velha sibling), but the power makes this hard to drink today. So, have some patience. It will need some time, probably a lot more than indicated, and will likely last longer than indicated as well. As noted in the accompanying article, I don’t see much point to impossibly long drinking windows. At some point, reevaluation is required.
WE9797 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/31/2019
The structure is currently very dominant in this wine. Its dark tannins are concentrated, waiting for the masked black fruits to come through. Everything is there, it just needs an immense amount of time. Drink from 2030.
SP9797 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2019
This offers up a dense rumble of dark currant, fig and blackberry paste flavors, laced with hints of buckwheat, baker’s chocolate and warm tar. The muscular finish is thickly layered, with threads of alder and espresso cream adding definition along the way. Should be among the more long-lived wines of the vintage. Best from 2035 through 2060. 1,250 cases imported.
WS9696 pts. - Wine & Spirits - October 1, 2019
This 2017 has all the markers of a legendary Taylor Port — scents of green fig, the complex tannic impact of schist, the consternating sense of elegance in the face of massive structural power. David Guimaraens bases this wine on fruit from the Quinta de Vargellas, an estate on the south bank of the river in the arid Douro Superior. In our tastings, it came after several 2017s that were sourced from vineyards on the north bank, closer to Pinhão, and, while it would be simplistic to consider this a definitive difference (there are many exposures in each quinta, and other quinta parcels in the blends), there was a stark shift from the blackness of those wines to the sour-cherry impression of this wine, and its floral fraise des bois notes. Those flavors keep pushing up against the dark shadows of the wine’s schist tannins, an undulating wake of red fruit and minerals that carries the wine’s muscular power into memory.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

375 ml
Compare at $64.99 $51.99

You save:$13.00 (20%)

location-marker

Portugal | Douro

$17.99

Only $16.19 each when you buy a solid or mixed case

location-marker

Portugal | Douro

Limited Inventoryinformation-circle We'll confirm your order by email.

6 items or less in stock.

$17.99

Only $16.19 each when you buy a solid or mixed case

Wine Spectator Top 100 SelectionWine Spectator Top 100 selection - 2023 | #76
SP9393 pts. - Wine Spectator - Feb 28, 2014
Rich, with a spicy nose, this offers flavors of fig, dried apricot, mango and ginger. Complex and elegant, delivering concentrated crème brûlée and tropical fruit notes that linger on the vibrant and buttery finish. Drink now.
SP9393 pts. - Wine Spectator - Oct 15, 2023
Lovely, with a mix of persimmon, white peach, hazelnut, green tea and singed alder notes all moving together in streamlined harmony. The long, elegant finish has nice latent energy. Drink now. 8,000 cases imported. (James Molesworth)
WE9090 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 8/1/2006
Although this famous name has produced quite a light 20-year-old, that lightness is more than made up for by the beautiful, smooth flavors, the taste of lemon jelly, dried apricots and peaches, and fine, fresh acidity.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

trophy-icon

Wine Spec. Top 100 - 2023 | #76

Compare at $61.99 $49.59

You save:$12.40 (20%)

WE9191 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 7/1/2021
One of the original Late Bottled Vintage brands, this continues to set a fine style. This latest release is full of black fruits that have been softened by extra wood aging. At the same time, the richness of the wine shows strongly and emphatically, giving a Port that has density and ready drinkability.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

Limited Inventoryinformation-circle We'll confirm your order by email.

4 items or less in stock.

$23.99

Only $21.59 each when you buy a solid or mixed case

Taylor Fladgate Chip Dry | Extra Dry White Porto NV / 750 ml.

Extra Dry White Porto
NV / 750 ml.

Item #: 16450

location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Malvasia

Limited Inventoryinformation-circle We'll confirm your order by email.

9 items or less in stock.

$20.99

Only $18.89 each when you buy a solid or mixed case

SP9090 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2018
Juicy and focused, offering dried cherry, fig and bergamot notes inlaid with red licorice and fruitcake flavors that marry the flattering and racy sides. Drink now through . 45,200 cases made.
RP9090 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 30th Dec 2015
The NV 10 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2014 with 105.23 grams per liter of residual sugar. Easily the 10 with the most weight in the Fladgate group’s lineup this issue, it is a rather powerful 10 year old Tawny with plenty of pop, the biggest and baddest of the trio (Fonseca, Croft and this). There is very fine concentration of flavor for a 10 year old Tawny. If I had a quibble, the alcohol shows at times, especially early on and rather notably when drunk a little too warm. (Around 60 degrees Fahrenheit is a lot better than room temperature most of the time, to be sure, not just here.) Overall, the weight, complexity, mouth feel and grip on the finish still make this my favorite of the group of 10s submitted by Taylor Fladgate this issue, although it’s close and there are some pros and cons. This comes with a bar top cork, i.e., not intended to be aged (although it most certainly can hold a couple of decades barring cork failures).
WE9090 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/1/2014
This very complete aged tawny has all the right nuts and fruit characters that show a Port that still looks back to its fruity origins. The style is ripe, full and sweet, a mellow wine that only hints at the spirit behind it.
WS9090 pts. - Wine & Spirits - December 1, 2008
Soft and glistening with a light rosewater perfume, this delicate Tawny balances sweet cherry and wood flavors with plenty of acidity so the wine finishes clean.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro

Limited Inventoryinformation-circle We'll confirm your order by email.

5 items or less in stock.

$34.99

Only $31.49 each when you buy a solid or mixed case

RP98+98–100 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 11th Jul 2019
The 2017 Vintage Port, not quite bottled when seen but the final blend, is a field blend aged for approximately 20 months in wood. It comes in with 100 grams of residual sugar. A step up (or two) on the 2016, this shows fine depth, more focus, vivid fruit and serious power. It’s not particularly thick, austere or astringent, but this is built for the long haul. It is potentially a great Taylor’s, effortlessly combining brilliant fruit and structure. It tastes great now (today, it is far more vivid than its Vinha Velha sibling), but the power makes this hard to drink today. So, have some patience. It will need some time, probably a lot more than indicated, and will likely last longer than indicated as well. As noted in the accompanying article, I don’t see much point to impossibly long drinking windows. At some point, reevaluation is required.
WE9797 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/31/2019
The structure is currently very dominant in this wine. Its dark tannins are concentrated, waiting for the masked black fruits to come through. Everything is there, it just needs an immense amount of time. Drink from 2030.
SP9797 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2019
This offers up a dense rumble of dark currant, fig and blackberry paste flavors, laced with hints of buckwheat, baker’s chocolate and warm tar. The muscular finish is thickly layered, with threads of alder and espresso cream adding definition along the way. Should be among the more long-lived wines of the vintage. Best from 2035 through 2060. 1,250 cases imported.
WS9696 pts. - Wine & Spirits - October 1, 2019
This 2017 has all the markers of a legendary Taylor Port — scents of green fig, the complex tannic impact of schist, the consternating sense of elegance in the face of massive structural power. David Guimaraens bases this wine on fruit from the Quinta de Vargellas, an estate on the south bank of the river in the arid Douro Superior. In our tastings, it came after several 2017s that were sourced from vineyards on the north bank, closer to Pinhão, and, while it would be simplistic to consider this a definitive difference (there are many exposures in each quinta, and other quinta parcels in the blends), there was a stark shift from the blackness of those wines to the sour-cherry impression of this wine, and its floral fraise des bois notes. Those flavors keep pushing up against the dark shadows of the wine’s schist tannins, an undulating wake of red fruit and minerals that carries the wine’s muscular power into memory.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

Compare at $119.00 $95.20

You save:$23.80 (20%)

Taylor Fladgate Golden Age | 50 Year Old Tawny Porto NV / 750 ml.

50 Year Old Tawny Porto
NV / 750 ml.

Item #: 59178

RP9797 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 4th Aug 2022
The NV 50 Year Old Tawny Port is a field blend bottled with a bar-top cork in 2022 and with 158 grams of residual sugar. Mature, with dark chocolate nuances, this is rich, deep and sensationally delicious. The concentration is exceptional too. Then, there’s the long, long finish, filled with fruit and sugar. It is irresistible, in addition to being nuanced and complex. It’s young enough so that it is never just a curiosity. The fruit is certainly not cracking. (Mark Squires)
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

grape-icon

Primary Grape: Touriga Nacional

Limited Inventoryinformation-circle We'll confirm your order by email.

7 items or less in stock.

Compare at $349.00 $279.20

You save:$69.80 (20%)

WE8989 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/31/2011
Dusty, perfumed tannins are suspended in a ripe and fruity wine, its damson skin texture given an extra boost by tannins. Very dark, concentrated wine, full of character.
SP8888 pts. - Wine Spectator - Jun 30, 2017
Forward in feel, with warmed blackberry and boysenberry jam flavors laced with singed vanilla bean and mulling spice hints. Delivers a good shot of tobacco at the end. Drink now. 35,200 cases made.
RP8888 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Jan 2019
The NV First Estate Reserve Ruby Porto is a blend of typical Douro grapes from Cima Corgo held for four years in used French oak. It comes in with 93 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is produced “to commemorate the firm’s acquisition in 1744 of its first property in the upper Douro Valley, the Casa dos Alambiques at Lugar das Lages.” It’s pretty tight on opening even though it was from a March 2017 bottling (although unless you can read production stamps, that isn’t so easy to determine). Big, dry and rather powerful, this is rather intense on the finish. It shows both classic flavor and fine structure. It is a bit straightforward, though, tending to make its way with power more than any expression of fruit. Still, with its very reasonable price point, this is certainly a good bargain, seeming very much in the “vintage character” style.
location-marker

Portugal | Douro | Porto

Limited Inventoryinformation-circle We'll confirm your order by email.

2 items or less in stock.

$21.99

Only $19.79 each when you buy a solid or mixed case

Write Your Own Review
Only registered users can write reviews. Please Sign in or create an account
loader
Loading...