2015 Taylor's, Quinta de Vargellas - Vintage Port - Porto - 2 Bottles (0.75L)

2015 Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port 2 x 0.75L
2 Bottles
Port Wine

WINEMAKER: David Guimaraens.

AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS
95 Points, James Suckling
95 Points, Wine Enthusiast
94 Points, Falstaff
92 Points, Wine Spectator
92 Points, Decanter World Wine Awards
92 Points, Gismondi on Wine
91 Points, Wine & Spirits Magazine
19 Points, Revista de Vinhos

WINE VARIETIES: Traditional from Douro Region.

TASTING NOTES
Deep ruby-black core with a narrow purple-red rim. A classic Vargellas nose, fine, elegant and poised with a linear surge of pure singing, woodland infused with a plummy freshness and hints of citrus and fresh quince. A subtle spiciness, with hints of nutmeg, anise and cacao, emerges from behind the fruit. The tell-tale Vargellas floral scent is more reminiscent of jasmine than the signature aura of violets and mingles with the minty, resiny notes of wild herbs. A discreet minerality provides an attractively firm edge. Typically of Vargellas, the palate is supported by taut, sinewy tannins and the grippy finish delivers a burst of clean, fresh berry fruit flavour. A very fine single-quinta Vintage Port, confident and in perfect balance.

HARVEST
The winter preceding the 2015 harvest was unusually dry. Rainfall in the winter months was only about two-thirds of the ten-year average but there was fortunately enough precipitation in October and November to ensure the vines were adequately supplied with water. The dry conditions continued into spring and, although this resulted in below average yields, it ensured that the crop remained completely free of disease. In fact, the grapes remained perfectly healthy right up to the harvest.
The early summer was very hot, with temperatures above 40°C being recorded on several days at Quinta de Vargellas in late June and early July. After that, the ripening conditions remained warm, dry and relatively even, with no excessive peaks of temperature. As a result, the condition of the crop will be remembered by the Vargellas wine makers as one of the best of recent years, with perfectly formed, disease-free bunches and very little raisin in spite of the dry year.
Picking started at Quinta de Vargellas relatively early on 7th September. The wines from most of the finest areas of the property had been made by 15th and 16th, when there were two days of rainfall, although this in fact made no difference to the quality of the Port as very fine wines continued to be made throughout the harvest. Cool night time temperatures allowed for long fermentations and good extraction.

SERVING
Pair with walnuts, blue veined and other richly flavoured cheeses are excellent accompaniments to Vintage Port; so too are dried fruits such as apricots or figs. Serve at 16ºC to 18ºC. Vintage Port is best drunk one to two days after opening.

DESCRIPTION
For many, Taylor’s is the archetypal Port house and its wines the quintessential Ports. Established over three centuries ago in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles.
Above all, Taylor’s is regarded as the benchmark for Vintage Port. Noted for their elegance and poise as well as for their restrained power and longevity, Taylor’s Vintage Ports are blended from the finest wines of the firm’s own quintas or estates, Vargellas, Terra Feita and Junco. These three iconic properties, each occupying a distinct geographic location and with their own unique character, are the cornerstone of the company’s success and the main source of its unique and inimitable house style.
Taylor’s is also respected as a producer of wood aged ports and holds one of the largest reserves of rare cask aged wines from which its distinguished aged tawny Ports are drawn. The house is also known as the originator of Late Bottled Vintage, a style which the firm pioneered and of which it remains the leading producer.
Above all, Taylor’s is an independent company in which some family members play a leading role in all areas of the firm’s activity. The firm’s long and unbroken family tradition has provided continuity and clarity of purpose, essential attributes of any great wine house. It has also allowed the skills and knowledge required to produce the finest ports to be constantly refined and added to in the light of experience as they are passed down from one generation to the next.
Based in Oporto and the Douro Valley the company is closely involved in all stages of the production of its Ports, from the planting of the vineyard and the cultivation of the grapes to the making, ageing, blending and bottling of the wines. The family’s commitment to the future of Port is demonstrated in its single minded dedication to the highest standards in Port production, its continued investment in all aspects of the firm’s operations and its determination to preserve the unique environment of the Douro Valley through the promotion of sustainable and responsible viticulture.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s).