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). 2005 Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 1 x 0.375L 2007 Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 1 x 0.375L 2009 Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2 x 0.375L 2015 Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2 x 0.375L 6 Bottles 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. WINEMAKER: David Guimaraens. AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS 93 Points, Wine Spectator (2009 Vintage) 93 Points, Decanter World Wine Awards (2015 Vintage) 92 Points, Wine Spectator (2015 Vintage) 92 Points, Wine Spectator (2005 Vintage) 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast (2007 Vintage) 91 Points, Wine & Spirits (2015 Vintage) 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast (2009 Vintage) 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast (2005 Vintage) 90-91 Points, Vert de Vin (2009 Vintage) 16.5 Points, Jancis Robinson (2009 Vintage) 16 Points, Jancis Robinson (2015 Vintage) WINE VARIETIES: Old Vines - mixed plantings (among 25 to 30 different grape varieties). VINIFICATION Taylor’s were pioneers of the LBV category, developed to satisfy the demand for a high quality ready-to-drink alternative to Vintage Port for everyday consumption. Unlike Vintage Port, which is bottled after only two years in wood and ages in bottle, LBV is bottled after four to six years and is ready to drink when bottled. Taylor’s continues to lead the LBV category of Port worldwide, in spite of the fact that many other shippers now also produce an LBV. The wines used to blend Taylor’s LBV were drawn from a reserve of some of the best full bodied red Ports, from grapes grown on Taylor’s own vineyards and on other top properties in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior areas. 2005 TASTING NOTES Young and fresh displaying concentrated, ripe berries, lovely soft cassis and fruity character with good balancing acidity and an elegant finish. 2007 TASTING NOTES Bottled in January 2012, this classic LBV has great perfumed fruit, soft and elegant. A blackberry jam flavor dominates, laced with black cherries and soft tannins. Immediately appealing and drinkable now. 2009 TASTING NOTES Lovely purity of rich dark fruit on this firm style with dense aromas. Minty berries on the palate, with full, ripe tannins and a touch of dark chocolate on the finish. 2015 TASTING NOTES Deep ruby-black core and narrow red rim with purple highlights. The intense and youthful nose displays very fine, complex red and black berry fruit aromas. Ripe strawberry notes and discreet leafy, herbal scents are suffused in a powerful redolence of dark brambly woodland fruit and blackcurrant jam. As is typical of Taylor’s, the nose is beautifully delineated with very fine, focused fruit. The palate has impressive density and vigour, with thick, mouth filling tannins providing both structure and body. Luscious berry fruit flavours linger into the long finish. As usual, this LBV shares the pedigree of the great Taylor vintage ports but is made in an approachable style, ready for drinking now by the glass. SERVING Excellent with fully flavoured cheeses, especially blue cheeses such as Stilton or Roquefort. It is also delicious with desserts made with chocolate or berry fruits. The wine benefits from being served between 16ºC to 18ºC.