Taylor’s - Iconic Port Wines: 29 April 2023.
The Port House of Taylor’s is iconic and its Port wines quintessential. Taylor’s is one of the largest Port wine houses and also one of the oldest. Founded in 1692 in Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal by Job Bearsley, and its full trading name is ‘Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman’ - as a Mr Joseph Taylor, John Alexander Fladgate and Morgan Yeatman formed a partnership back in 1838.
Taylor’s are dedicated entirely to the production of Port Wine and in particular to its finest styles, as Taylor’s Vintage Port is one of the world’s great iconic wines. Made only in the very finest of years - and known as a ‘declared’ vintage. Vintage Ports are blended from the best grapes of their own estate vineyards in the heart of the Douro Valley. Taylor’s long family tradition has provided continuity and clarity of purpose, with family members still playing leading roles in all areas of the company. There long and unbroken family heritage are 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.
Taylor’s are regarded as the benchmark for 'Vintage Port'. Noted for their elegance and poise as well as for their restrained power and longevity. Taylor’s is also respected for their 'Aged Port Wines' and hold one of the largest reserves of rare cask aged wines from where their distinguished aged Tawny Ports are sourced. Based in Oporto and the Douro Valley the company is closely involved in all stages of the production of fine Port Wines, from the planting of the vineyard, cultivation, fermentation, 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.
*(The following Port wines are available in the New Zealand market, and with respectful time in your cellar and careful decanting, a real treat).
Taylor’s ‘The Mallet’ - Historical III
Grape Varietals: Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional
Growing Region: Douro Valley - Portugal
Head Winemaker: David Guimaraens
4 Stars ★★★★
This blend was carefully put together from specially selected Ports from Taylor’s extensive aged Tawny stocks, aged in seasoned oak Port pipes. This bottle shape is a reference-back to the beginning of the 18th century, where bottles were mouth-blown and bulbous in shape. The ageing has all bee done before release, so ready to sip, savour & share
• Deep reddish-brown hue at the centre with a narrow brick coloured rim. The mature, opulent nose opens with a warm redolence of coffee, butterscotch and dried fruit, with notes of plum and raisin. Around this rich, mellow core are layers of spicy, woody and nutty aroma, as well as discreet floral scents, giving the wine an intricate, subtle and seductive complexity. On the palate it is round and dense, with a smooth silky texture.
• No Decanting Required & serve between 12°- 14°C : 20% Alc. : 115g/L R.S : Cellar 8 - 10 years : *NZ$88.00
Taylor’s ‘Vintage’ Port 2003
Grape Varietals: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão & Tinta Amarela
Growing Region: Douro Valley - Portugal
Head Winemaker: David Guimaraens
5 Stars ★★★★★
Taylor’s Vintage Port is one of the world’s iconic wines. The best parcels from their estates of Quinta de Vargellas, Quinta de Terra Feita and Quinta do Junco in the heart of the Douro Valley. The finest wines are aged for two winters in oak. In the second spring they are tasted, and if judged to be of exceptional quality, the three estates are blended.
• A generous aroma of exotic spices, figs and wild berries with a forest backdrop. This 2003 Vintage Port shows a stylishly generous palate, still with a firm structure due to sturdy fruit tannins and packed with concentrated dark berry flavours infused with spice that carry through to mocha-chocolate finish. Like other great Vintage Ports from Taylor’s - its signature of restrained power and elegance along with a sturdy strength and stamina that will continue to age well.
• Decanting & serve between 15°- 16°C : 20.5% Alc. : 102g/L R.S. : Cellar 20 - 30 years : *NZ$380.00
Taylor’s ‘Vintage’ Port 2007
Grape Varietals: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão & Tinta Amarela
Growing Region: Douro Valley - Portugal
Head Winemaker: David Guimaraens
5 Stars ★★★★★
This iconic Taylor’s Vintage Port is sourced from three of their famous properties: Vargellas, Terra Feita and Junco. Which occupy distinct geographic locations in the heart of the Douro Valley and each with its own special growing conditions. Each site contributes its own unique character and dimension to the harmony and complexity of the blend.
• Packed with character, on the nose you are greeted by dense blackcurrants, forest berries overlaid with deft herbal scents of violets and bitter cacao. This Vintage Port has Taylor’s elegant signature, with its understatement depth, generosity of flavour and vigour. Even 15 years on, it still has taught tannins which are a strong feature of the Taylor’s vintage expressions along with an incredible density of flavour, a hallmark of this 2007 vintage.
• Decanting & serve between 15°- 16°C : 20% Alc. : Approx. 100g/L R.S : Cellar 25 - 30 years : *NZ$380.00
Taylor’s ‘Vargellas Vinha Velha’ 2017
Grape Varietals: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
Growing Region: Douro Valley - Portugal
Head Winemaker: David Guimaraens
5 Stars ★★★★★
Quinta de Vargellas is celebrated as one of the top 100 vineyards in the world, part of Taylor’s for more than a century. It has the highest percentage of old vines of any Quinta in the Douro, with 60% of the vines over 75 years old. All grapes are traditionally foot tread, 2 years in oak, bottled unfiltered and will continue maturing for decades.
• A rich, detailed tapestry of hypnotic aromas. The palate is wonderfully balanced, revealing multiple layers and dimensions of small dark berries like cassis and black cherries. The voluptuous richness has a unique granite essence along with wild herbs, praline oak, leather, bitter cacao and cigar nuances. The palate is supported by firm textural tannins and is full of dense black and red fruit flavours that develop into a crescendo on the memorable finish.
• Decanting & serve between 15°- 16°C : 20% Alc. : 105g/L R.S. : Cellar 30 - 40 years : *NZ$550.00
*(prices, vintages & availability will vary by outlet & country)
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