2016 Wine and Port Vintage
Portugal: 
The 2016 vintage port declaration came as no surprise given that the excellent 2015 vintage was passed over in favour of this vintage. The 2016 declaration is the first since the outstanding 2011 vintage and will inevitably draw comparisons. I have now had two tastings of the 2016, one in May and one in September. My overall impression is that the declaration is justified. The wines are lighter in body and at this stage in their evolution. Compared to the 2011 they are more nuanced and perhaps reflective of the winemaker’s skill and house style.
All of the major shippers declared the 2016. The yield is tiny as a cold and wet spring made for a tough start to the year. The very hot weather that followed hampered the ripening process as the vines shut down. The picking season was dry which meant that winemakers could pick the grapes at the optimum ripeness. Production release volumes are very small, for instance only 72 cases were released of the Nacional!
The reception for the 2016 vintage amongst critics has been very positive. James Suckling awarded the 2016 Taylor’s vintage port top marks (100 points). With most shippers such as Cockburn and Grahams scoring well into outstanding category. The ports although approachable in their youth, will be at their optimum between 2025 and 2060+. Prices are quite high for the premium brands due to small yields. However, there are some highly rated, lower cost wines from Skeffington, Burmester and Messias that represent an outstanding quality to price ratio.
In summary, this is a solid vintage declaration. Small production and high ratings make premium brands a solid investment that can be laid down for decades. Great value can be obtained searching out the lesser known producers. (TC – VWP)
This Year in History: Fun Fact: Andrew Lawrence became the fastest runner to complete a marathon dressed as a fruit.During the London Marathon, the 30-year-old dad wore a bright yellow banana skin outfit and finished the race in two hours, 47 minutes, and 41 seconds.
Eurovision Winner: won by Ukraine with the song "1944" by Jamala
Top Grossing Movie: Captain America Civil War
Buy with confidence
All of our wine gifts are available for immediate delivery from our own cellars. Your gift is backed up by our 5-star Trusted shops customer service rating.- Free standard UK delivery for orders over £100
- Free tasting notes and personal message (add at the checkout)
- Three month replacement guarantee
- Choice of Gift Boxes
- Winner 2022, 2021 and 2019 IWC UK Fortified Wine Merchant of the Year
- Winner Decanter 2022 and 2020 Fortified and Sweet WIne Retailer of the Year
- 5 Star Trusted Shops Rating
79 products found.
Vietti Barolo, 2016
Vietti, Piedmont - Castiglione
JS 96 - James Suckling
Aromas of blueberries, sliced strawberries and peaches. Full body and firm, chewy tannins that are polished and velvety in a refined way.
V 94 - Vinous
The 2016 Barolo Castiglione is a dazzling wine that will show readers just how compelling this vintage is, even among entry-level wines from top producers. Rich, ample and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous richness and resonance from the very first taste. Bright red cherry and red plum fruit, wild flowers, mint, blood orange and spice build as this sumptuous, dramatic Barolo shows all it's got. As always, the Castiglione is built on a core of fruit from Ravera. …
more >>>
Price: $90.02 USD
Stock: 44 in Stock
Vietti Barolo, 2016
Vietti, Piedmont - Brunate
Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Vietti Barolo Brunate is an intense ruby red. Dry, with generous body, harmoniously balanced and velvety texture. Classic, ripe red-fruit, long finish, rich and very elegant. Spices, violet, plums and intense tar, very typical for the Brunate vineyard.
Pair this wine alongside red meats, roasts, & wild game.
V 98 - Vinous
The 2016 Barolo Brunate is a powerful, vertical wine endowed with tremendous explosive energy and intensity. Crushed flowers, mint, spice and dried flowers open up in the glass, but it is the wine's energy that really elevates it into the stratosphere. …
more >>>
Price: $371.91 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock
Vietti Barolo, 2016
Vietti, Piedmont - Lazzarito
Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Vietti Barolo Lazzarito is a deep garnet red in color. Richly rounded with a robust and velvety texture; intensely aromatic with hints of figs and plums. Elegant with soft and sweet tannins, followed by a long finish.
Pair this wine alongside game, red meats, & cheese.
V 98 - Vinous
The 2016 Barolo Lazzarito is another stunning wine in this range. The 2016 is the first vintage of the Lazzarito I can remember tasting in which intensely mineral notes accompany the more savory, earthy notes that are so typical of this site. Graphite, sage, dried flowers, crushed rocks, …
more >>>
Price: $333.30 USD
Stock: 5 in Stock
Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port, 2016
Vintage Port, DOC Douro - 1x75cl Bottle
The 2016 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port Wine is brimming with aromas suggesting bergamot and tea-leaf, as well as floral aromas of rockrose and violets. Substantial on the palate, showing ripe, black fruit and liquorice. The seamless, peppery tannins give freshness and excellent structure.
Smith Woodhouse is a specialist producer of premium quality Ports which showcase an outstanding length and structure. Its Vintage Ports show a characteristic opulent rich style, balanced by firm hard tannins. Ageing gives these wines an unmatched elegance.The uniformity of this quality is underpinned by Smith Woodhouse's own Madalena vineyard from where the wines are largely sourced. …
more >>>
Price: $64.28 USD
Stock: Out of Stock