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Taylor's Port, 2017 Vintage Port

Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port
Single Bottle

Bottle size: 1 x 75cl

ABV: 20%

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Price:

$315.29 USD

12 In Stock

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Description

Review Scores
*** 18.5/20 - Jancis ***
*** 96+/100 - Vinous ***
*** 18.5+/20 - Mayson ***

Tasting Notes
In addition to a classic Taylor’s Vintage, Taylor’s has announced that it will bottle a Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port from the exceptional 2017 harvest. This will be only the eighth Vargellas Vinha Velha ever to be released and quantities are very limited. As usual, it is an extraordinary wine, a showcase of the old vines’ ability to deliver multiple layers and dimensions of aroma.”

TASTING NOTES.
Impenetrable ruby black core and narrow purple rim. As usual with the Vargellas Vinha Velha, the nose is beautifully balanced and complete, revealing multiple layers and dimensions of aroma as it opens up in the glass. The base is a coulis of dense, dark berries, with brambly woodland fruit, cassis and black cherry aromas. The voluptuous richness of the fruit is tempered by an attractive flinty, mineral edge and the discreet pungency of wild herbs and cedar wood. As the wine evolves, evocative aromas emerge, such as beeswax, leather and cigar box, like the unexpected resonances of an antique instrument. The palate is supported by thick granular tannins and is packed with dense black and red berry fruit flavour that rises in a crescendo on the finish. A wine of majestic scale and proof, if any were needed, that 2017 was an exceptional year for old vines.

Condition

Excellent condition

Reviews

*** 18.5/20 - Jancis Robinson ***
A field blend of TourigaNacional, TourigaFrancesa, Tinto Cão, TintaRoriz, TintaBarrocafrom five separate plots comprising vines 80–120 years old. Vargellasis in the remote eastern reaches of the Douro Valley. TA 4.86 g/l, RS 105 g/l, pH 3.75.

This is only the eighth vintage of this wine ever to have been declared. 5,600 bottles.Not quite as dark as the Taylor’s. A little more lifted and fragrant on the nose, more red-fruited. Prettier in aroma, less wild, the alcohol less immediately obvious. On the palate, that same wonderful fruit concentration but a little more delicacy and apparent freshness in the flavours, even though the tannins are firmer and have a more sturdy grip, making the finish thick and chewy at the moment. (JH) 20.5% Drink 2030-2060 JancisRobinson.com

*** 96+/100 - Vinous (Neil Martin) ***
The 2017 Taylor’s VargellasVinhaVelhaVintage Port represents only the eighth release. It comes from 80 to 120-year old vines located in five parcels (Polverinho, Renovado Depósito, Renovado Armazém, Grichaand VinhaGrande) that were picked from September 1. It has a ripe and sensual, playful bouquet with ripe fig and damson bursting from the glass. Fine definition here, real depth and complexity as it reveals subtle melted tar and bayleafaromas with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins. This feels lush and rounded with black pepper, clove and tobacco notes infusing the black fruit, long and sensual towards the finish. Perhaps I have a slight preference for the regular Taylor’s, but this is going to be fascinating to monitor during its evolution in bottle. Total production is 5,600 bottles.--Neal MartinDrinking window: 2030 -2070 Vinous.com

*** 18.5+/20 - Richard Mayson ***
From the oldest vines on the estate, five plots with some vines planted over a century ago: not quite as deep in colour as most of the wines here; still demure on the nose, underlying brambly fruit, more delicate in style; lovely sweet cassis-like fruit on the palate backed by fine grained tannins, beautifully defined, not especially big but gloriously seductive with a long dusty-gravelly tannic finish. Very fine. 18.5 RichardMayson.com

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