A Few Vintage Port Reviews

To get things started here are a few good Ports I've tried in the last year or so:

1991 Graham's Vintage Port

Velvety smooth and full on the tongue, sweet but well structured; grape, and concentrated plum, slightly floral. There is tar in there also. Tannins and alcohol come in on the finish preventing this Port from being cloying. Polished.

Wine Spectator gave it a 93 and Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) gave it a 94.

Ratings in bold are on a scale of 100 of course.

1995 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas

Cherry, white pepper, plum, and cocoa on the nose, similar palate. Not as velvety as the 1991 Graham’s, also not as sweet or alcoholic. Med body with a terrific plum bitter chocolate finish. Maybe a 91 by my evaluation. Moderately priced around $80 CDN.

Wine Spectator gave it a 92 saying: "A big, voluptuous wine--decadence in a bottle. Sports a brilliant magenta, purple color and intense aromas of plums and berries with hints of flowers. It's medium- to full-bodied, with a chunky, velvety-tannin mouthfeel and a long aftertaste of chocolate and fruit. Lovely. Best after 2008. 9,000 cases made." (04/98)

Graham’s Vintage Port 1980

Dark red touch of orange (brick) shows aging. Smoky blackberry and cocoa nose, similar palette, vanilla. A little hot on the finish – alcoholic. A little dusty, tea. Good but not good value at $115 (over priced).

This is what Parker had to say about it:
"Shrewd consumers should consider buying at auction such vintages as ... 1980. [This is a] fine rather than great year, but the top houses have turned in impeccable efforts, and the wines are closer to full maturity" (Robert Parker Jr., Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide, 6th Edition, 2002)

He gave it a 90 I believe.

That's all for now. More to come.