1948 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations: The 1948 vintage followed the extremes of 1946 and 1947 and is remembered as a year of generally favourable conditions across much of Europe. The growing season brought healthy fruit and good ripeness, although producers were still working with limited post-war resources and less sophisticated cellar technology than today. As a result, 1948 produced wines that often show balance, elegance and surprising longevity in the best examples, rather than sheer power.
In Bordeaux, 1948 is considered a good but not great year. The best châteaux made harmonious, medium-bodied wines that matured attractively, though they rarely match the depth of the very finest post-war vintages. By contrast, the Douro enjoyed a genuinely exceptional year: 1948 was widely declared as a Vintage Port, and many houses produced wines of remarkable depth, sweetness and structure. These Ports are renowned for their refinement and ageing capacity, and well-stored examples can still be magnificent today, ranking alongside the greatest classic vintages.
Across Italy, results were mixed but often encouraging, particularly in Piedmont, where Barolo and Barbaresco benefited from the favourable conditions and developed structure and character with age. Tuscany was more variable, producing some lighter, rustic wines. Overall, 1948 offers real historical and drinking interest — and in Port especially, genuine greatness. With excellent provenance, a bottle from 1948 makes a memorable gift for an 82nd birthday or anniversary, valued for its rarity, history and the opportunity to taste a distinguished vintage.
This Year in History: Fun Fact: Rowntree's introduce Polo mint sweets.
Born in this Year: King Charles III, King, Became King of the United Kingdom in September 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. He was crowned May 6th, 2023. Prior to becoming king, he was the prince of Wales and he was the longest-serving heir apparent in British history as well as the oldest heir apparent in over 300 years.
Top Grossing Movie: The Snake Pit
Bordeaux: An excellent vintage that had the misfortune to fall between two legendary vintages; often when Bordeaux has three outstanding vintages in a row, one is forgotten. The wines have aged extremely well and the best still tend to make excellent drinking today. 1948 wines will last for many years to come, making them a great idea for a 76 year old wine gift, for a birthday or anniversary celebration this year.
Portugal: 1948 was a very good port vintage that was only declared by 9 shippers. It was a seven year wait after this until the next declared vintage.
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10 products found.
Kopke, 1948
Vintage Port
A rare 1948 vintage port from Kopke, the oldest port house. You should expect a garnet coloured port with aromas of dried red fruit, raisins and figs with prunes, coffee and cinnamon and clove notes. On the palate it should be sweet and smooth with the acidity balancing the sweetness and with a long aftertaste.
Learn more about Kopke
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Price: £995.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Baron de Sigognac, 1948
Vintage Armagnac
In original Wooden Gift Box
Baron de Sigognac 1948 Vintage Armagnac
A remarkable spirit born just after the end of the Second World War, the 1948 Baron de Sigognac is a rare and dignified vintage from one of Armagnac’s most respected producers. Distilled from the finest Ugni Blanc and Baco grapes and aged for over seven decades in Gascon oak, this vintage captures history in a bottle, offering depth, elegance, and quiet power.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is exquisitely layered, with aromas of antique wood, candied orange peel, rancio, and dried figs unfolding into notes of pipe tobacco, toasted walnuts, and polished leather. …
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Price: £875.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1948
Vintage Port
High shoulder, UK Bottled by John E McPherson and Sons Ltd, Newcastle
The Fonseca 1948 Vintage Port is often hailed as one of the legendary vintages of the 20th century, an icon in the world of fortified wines. Deep, complex, and astonishingly well-structured, it demonstrates Fonseca’s signature style of powerful fruit and elegance. Even after many decades, it has retained an extraordinary vibrancy and depth, making it a timeless classic.
In terms of tasting profile, the 1948 Fonseca opens with an aromatic symphony of rich blackberries, plums, and ripe figs, underpinned by layers of dark chocolate, cedar, spices, and a hint of mint. On the palate, the wine is lush, incredibly smooth, and beautifully integrated. …
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Price: £1,495.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Taylor Fladgate, 1948
Vintage Port 100 points - Neil Martin Vinous
100 points - Neil Martin Vinous.
The 1948 Taylor's has a strong tawny colour. On the nose there was a wonderful coffee, chocolate and tobacco. With an alluring herbal aroma. On the palate this port has a luscious feel on the palate and incredibly complex layers of caramel, chocolate and coffee. This continued with an incredible long persistent finish. VWP tasting March 2017
BY NEAL MARTIN | MAY 7, 2018
There is Vintage Port and then there is the 1948 Taylor Fladgate. It remains a monumental Port that towers over the 20th century. Nineteen forty-eight is perhaps one of the lesser-known declarations compared to 1945 and 1963, although nine houses declared that year. …
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Price: £1,295.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Taylor Fladgate, 1948
Vintage Port Level in Neck 100 points - Neil Martin Vinous
From the very good 1948 vintage, this very rare Taylors vintage port is one of the finest ports ever made
There is Vintage Port and then there is the 1948 Taylor Fladgate. It remains a monumental Port that towers over the 20th century. Nineteen forty-eight is perhaps one of the lesser-known declarations compared to 1945 and 1963, although nine houses declared that year. Michael Broadbent described that as an “error of judgment” given the quality of the vintage in retrospect. I have been fortunate to taste the 1948 Taylors on several occasions, encountering one or two perfect bottles along the way. …
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Price: £1,395.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Taylor Fladgate, 1948
Vintage Port Level in Neck 100 points - Neil Martin Vinous
From the very good 1948 vintage, this very rare Taylors vintage port is one of the finest ports ever made
There is Vintage Port and then there is the 1948 Taylor Fladgate. It remains a monumental Port that towers over the 20th century. Nineteen forty-eight is perhaps one of the lesser-known declarations compared to 1945 and 1963, although nine houses declared that year. Michael Broadbent described that as an “error of judgment” given the quality of the vintage in retrospect. I have been fortunate to taste the 1948 Taylors on several occasions, encountering one or two perfect bottles along the way. …
more >>>
Price: £1,395.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Taylor Fladgate, 1948
Vintage Port
English bottled by Hatch, Manfield and Co.
Provenance: Christies Sale Raby Castle
1948 Taylor's Vintage Port. A legendary Port still remarkably deep in color for its age, this vintage Port bursts with a striking nose, revealing an exotic combination of tropical fruit. The palate mirrors this exuberance, delivering a voluptuous richness with a gloriously smooth texture and luxurious mouthfeel. Mid-palate, the fruit’s opulence takes center stage, momentarily masking the underlying structural, spicy tannins that gradually emerge. The finish is nothing short of perfection, with layers of soft summer strawberries and fresh tropical vibrancy leaving an enduring impression of harmony and elegance. …
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Price: £1,595.00
Stock: 6 in Stock
KWV, 1948
Tawny Port - South Africa.
Magnum 1.5 L
Red chocolate in colour. Well balanced on the palate. Not overly sweet. Well rounded lasting finish.
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Price: £285.00
Stock: Out of Stock
Madeira, 1948
MBV Malvesia Bott: Barbeito, Madeira
94 Points - Wine Advocate
Review" The rambunctious 1948 Malvasia has a far more resinous, fiery bouquet compared directly against the 1954. It demands a little more coaxing, but offers absorbing aromas of melted candle wax, smoked walnut, nutmeg and cumin. The palate has a lovely opening, with Schezhuan setting the tongue on fire, and then it glides towards its elegant conclusion of barley sugar, bitter orange, chocolate and lemongrass. The aftertaste is extraordinarily long, the tongue tingling a minute after the Madeira has exited. It is the kind of Madeira that needs to be kept on a leash!" Neil Martin, Wine Advocate 2012. …
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Price: £625.00
Stock: Out of Stock
Taylor Fladgate, 1948
Vintage Port 100 points - Neil Martin Vinous
100 points - Neil Martin Vinous.
The 1948 Taylor's has a strong tawny colour. On the nose there was a wonderful coffee, chocolate and tobacco. With an alluring herbal aroma. On the palate this port has a luscious feel on the palate and incredibly complex layers of caramel, chocolate and coffee. This continued with an incredible long persistent finish. VWP tasting March 2017
BY NEAL MARTIN | MAY 7, 2018
There is Vintage Port and then there is the 1948 Taylor Fladgate. It remains a monumental Port that towers over the 20th century. Nineteen forty-eight is perhaps one of the lesser-known declarations compared to 1945 and 1963, although nine houses declared that year. …
more >>>
Price: £1,395.00
Stock: Out of Stock