Portugal
Quinta do Noval 1991 Nacional Vintage Port
Sweet raisin and fragrant perfume open over deep, nearly opaque colour, with strawberry, molasses and blackberry building in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is concentrated and structured, combining powerful tannins with fine balance and a distinctive balsamic note. Youthful energy carries through the firm, lingering finish.
Cartuxa 2018 Pera-Manca Tinto
Blackberry, cassis and plum lead a deep, dark-fruited profile, with cinnamon bringing measured warmth and spice. The palate carries the same concentrated fruit with a composed, savoury shape, while the finish remains long and quietly persistent. Decant before serving with roast lamb, braised beef or richly seasoned mushrooms.
Quinta do Noval 1963 Vintage Port
At full maturity, the colour has softened to translucent ruby-tawny. Sweet strawberry and orange aromas lead into an elegant, balanced palate, where warm spice, a dry core and fine remaining tannins keep the fruit poised. The finish is long and gently warming. Bottle variation is possible at this age, so stand upright and decant carefully before serving.
Taylor Fladgate 1966 Vintage Port
Violet and ripe fig lead an elegant, fresh bouquet, joined by tobacco, cedar, pear and dried apricot. The palate is remarkably balanced, placing concentrated fruit within a firm mineral and tannic frame. Lively acidity keeps the texture poised, and the flavours continue with clarity through a long finish. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or walnuts.
Blandy’s 1968 Sercial Madeira
Mid-deep amber with an olive-green rim, opening on lifted smoke and a distinctly savoury note. The palate is dry but not austere, combining crystallised fruit with incisive acidity and remarkable intensity. Greengage brings a fresh, tart lift through the centre. The finish is mouthwatering and persistent, moving from fruit to fine woodsmoke and a final touch of savoury complexity.
Gould Campbell 1977 Vintage Port Magnum
Deep ruby in colour, with ripe blackberry, red cherry and violet lifted by sweet spice and dark chocolate. The palate is smooth and satin-textured, yet still firm, carrying bramble fruit, tobacco and pepper through dense, well-integrated tannins. A long, warming finish leaves dark fruit, spice and a mineral freshness.
Leacock’s 1969 Sercial Madeira 750 mL
An expressive mature Madeira in the drier Sercial style, with pronounced nuttiness, toffee and warm spice. The palate carries sweetness, though it remains notably less rich than Malmsey, with acidity keeping the wine lifted and composed. Long cask ageing has brought layered savoury complexity and a persistent finish. Its balance of caramelized depth and freshness makes it especially compelling alongside aged cheese.
Warre’s 1977 Vintage Port 1.5 L
Vibrant red fruit and dried raisin lead, with mature mineral tones and a deep, savoury core. The palate is powerful and intense, carried by firm grip and a well-defined backbone rather than simple sweetness. Dark fruit concentration gives the wine breadth while its mineral character keeps the texture focused. The finish is long, structured and composed, retaining depth, energy and the restrained authority of mature vintage Port.
Burmester 1963 Vintage Port
Raisin, fig and date aromas lead, joined by warm spice and a gentle savoury note as it opens. The palate is sweet, concentrated and richly textured, with enough freshness to keep the mature fruit defined. Its slightly wild character adds interest, while the remarkably persistent finish remains rich and composed. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or walnut tart.
Caves Sao Joao 1966 Frei Joao Reserva Bairrada Magnum
Mature yet lively, opening with cassis, raspberry and dried fig over pine-needle, coffee and toasted-wood notes. The palate is full and structured, with fresh acidity keeping the evolved fruit clear while settled tannins give the texture a composed shape. Earthy and savoury detail builds through the middle. The finish is persistent, carrying dried fruit, coffee, gentle spice and polished woodland complexity.
Croft 1963 Vintage Port
Dried fig, plum and raisin aromas unfold with spice, dark chocolate, tobacco and leather. Silky and harmonious on the palate, it carries mature dark fruit through lively acidity and fully integrated tannins, with a delicate sweetness rather than heaviness. The finish is long, elegant and warming. Decant carefully and serve with Stilton, walnuts or dark chocolate.
Smith Woodhouse 1977 Vintage Port 1.5L
Floral aromas and dark fruit lead a concentrated, full-bodied style, with warm spice and dark chocolate adding depth. The palate is medium-sweet and firmly structured, its mature richness carried by balanced freshness and fine, settled tannins. The finish is long and composed. The larger format should be stood upright and decanted carefully before serving with blue cheese or walnuts.
Taylor Fladgate 1970 Vintage Port
Liquorice and raisin open with boot polish, lemongrass and a savoury trace of wet wood. Full-bodied and powerful, the palate layers sweet red and dark cherry fruit with orange peel, warm spice and a mineral undertone. Firm tannins have softened into the fruit, carrying dried fig and spice through an exceptionally long finish. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or walnuts.
Fonseca Vintage Port 1970
Mature and beautifully poised, with dried plum, caramel and orange peel layered with exotic spice, cocoa and warm red fruit. The palate is sweet but finely tensioned, combining generous fruit with fresh acidity, settled tannins and a gently warming spirit. Long, balanced and savoury on the finish, it is ideal with Stilton, dark chocolate or toasted walnuts.
Cockburn’s 1970 Vintage Port
Fully mature and composed, with black cherry, wild blackberry and dried fig moving into kirsch, violet and a gentle herbal lift. The palate is smooth and measured rather than overtly sweet, with settled richness and a fine thread of black pepper. Orange-peel oil brings freshness to the close. The finish is warming and persistent, leaving dark fruit, spice and polished bottle-aged complexity.
Taylor Fladgate 1994 Vintage Port
Blackberry, blackcurrant and violet rise from a deep, focused bouquet, with fig, liquorice and warm spice adding complexity. Full-bodied and firmly structured, the palate carries concentrated cassis and ripe dark fruit with freshness and poise. The finish is long, sumptuous and gently spiced. Decant carefully and serve with Stilton, walnuts or dark chocolate.
Graham’s 1994 Vintage Port 750 mL
Ripe blackberry, plum and cherry open with chocolate, licorice, tobacco and warm spice. The palate is powerful and concentrated, balancing generous fruit with velvety tannins and Graham's characteristic richness. Its sweetness is measured by depth and structure rather than simple weight. The finish is long and composed, lingering on dark fruit, cocoa, spice and a firm, mature persistence.
Messias 1964 Colheita Tawny Port 750 mL
Amber-toned and remarkably fresh, with dried fruit, honey, fig and raisin unfolding alongside balsamic and gently woody notes. The palate is intense yet balanced, its mature sweetness lifted by clear acidity and a persistent sense of freshness. Layered dried-fruit character gives the middle depth without becoming heavy. The finish is long and complex, carrying honeyed fruit, seasoned wood and savoury balsamic detail.
Graham’S 1970 Vintage Port
Stewed plum, black cherry and dried fig open with rose petal, walnut, cedar and a touch of caramel. Rich, ripe berry fruit fills the palate, balanced by medium tannins and enough freshness to keep the mature sweetness defined. Coffee and leather emerge on the long, gentle finish. Decant carefully and serve with Stilton or walnut tart.