Portugal
Messias Quinta do Cachão 1967 Vintage Port 750 mL
Golden-tawny in colour, with developed aromas of dried fruit, hazelnut and warm spice. The palate is intense and complex, yet freshness keeps the mature sweetness from feeling heavy. Smooth tannins give gentle structure while notes of fig, walnut and bottle-aged savouriness unfold through the middle. Delicate and composed, it finishes long with lingering spice and dried-fruit depth.
Caves Sao Joao 1978 Frei Joao Bairrada Magnum
Brick-edged and fully mature, with leather, iodine and damp forest-floor aromas leading into dried cherry and further woodland detail. The palate remains surprisingly fresh, with fully resolved tannins and a seamless transition into a long, lingering finish. Bottle condition will matter at this age; stand upright, open with care and assess before decanting. Serve with roast game or mushroom dishes.
Cockburn’s 1967 Vintage Port
Deep garnet fading toward tawny at the rim, with dried cherry, fig and raisin layered over walnut, leather and cedar. Gentle spice and a floral-herbal lift give the mature fruit added dimension. The palate is smooth and settled, with sweetness and savoury detail held in balance. The finish is long and warming, leaving dried fruit, walnut, spice and polished bottle-aged depth.
Fonseca 1985 Vintage Port
Blackberry, blackcurrant and raisin lead an inky, concentrated bouquet, with dark chocolate and a gentle savoury note adding depth. Full-bodied and round, the palate carries abundant fruit over thick, well-integrated tannins. A firm backbone keeps the sweetness composed, while the finish is long and velvety. Decant carefully and serve with Stilton or dark chocolate.
Fonseca 2003 Vintage Port 1.5 L
Deep in colour with a brick-red rim, opening on ripe cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant. Dark chocolate and cocoa add depth, while mint and warm spice bring lift. The palate is rich and powerful but remains harmonious, with crisp fruit and firm, silky tannins carrying the wine without heaviness. A softening texture suggests maturity, yet the structure remains clear through a long, expressive finish.
Croft 1970 Vintage Port
Plum and dried blackberry open with black pepper, fig and a savoury coffee note. Medium-bodied and supple, the palate balances mature fruit with lively freshness and fine tannins, while liquorice, burnt toffee and raisin add depth. The finish is linear and gently warming. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese, walnuts or chocolate.
Dow’s 1977 Vintage Port
Black cherry liqueur, plum compote, fig and date lead a complex mature bouquet, with orange peel, cacao, espresso, violet and cedar adding detail. Silken but authoritative, the palate carries sweet dark fruit over lively acidity and velvety tannins. Walnut, liquorice and clove emerge through a long finish of cocoa and candied citrus. Decant carefully before serving.
Quinta do Noval 1985 Vintage Port
Warm fruitcake, toasted cinnamon, sandalwood and blood orange form a mature, perfumed bouquet. The palate is silky and rounded, with sweet dark fruit, earthy spice and understated complexity held in elegant balance. This is fully developed rather than heavy, and ready to enjoy now. Stand upright, decant gently and serve with Stilton, walnuts or dark chocolate.
Graham’s Vintage Port 1985
Deep at the core with a fine tawny rim, offering ripe plum, dark berries, fig and baking spice over a subtle nutty undertone. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate is remarkably soft, with integrated spirit, mellow tannins and enough freshness to hold the sweetness in balance. Persistent and composed on the finish, it pairs naturally with Stilton or walnut tart.
Blandy’s 10 Year Old Bual Madeira 3 L
Rich raisin, fig and orange-marmalade aromas sit over caramel, vanilla and toasted walnut. The palate is medium-sweet and concentrated, with maple-like depth balanced by Madeira's firm acidity, so the sweetness remains energetic rather than heavy. Dried fruit and gentle spice carry through a long, complex finish. Serve lightly chilled with blue cheese, nut tart or caramelized desserts, or pour a small glass after dinner.
Taylor Fladgate 1997 Vintage Port
Cedar and dark berry fruit lead a dense, tightly woven bouquet, joined by black cherry, anise and dried fruit. Big and full-bodied, the palate combines rich sweetness with finesse, firm structure and a dry mineral edge. Raisin, fig and toasted nut notes linger through a long finish. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or dark chocolate.
Warre’s 1970 Vintage Port
Violet and red-fruit aromas rise from a mature deep-garnet colour, with plum and dark chocolate adding richness. The palate is full and voluptuous yet classically refined, supported by firm, settled tannins and a savoury bittersweet concentration. A long, plummy finish keeps the balance graceful. Stand upright and decant carefully before serving with Stilton or walnuts.
Quarles Harris 1970 Vintage Port
Coffee, tea, cocoa and dark chocolate rise from a mature ruby core, joined by ginger and the layered warmth of an old-fashioned grocer's shop. The palate remains full and composed, with rounded tannins, measured sweetness and developed complexity. Balanced, savoury and settled, it closes with a long, attractive finish.
Warre’s 1977 Vintage Port
Cassis, prune and ripe berry fruit lead an expressive bouquet, with rose petal, star anise and warm spice adding lift. Rich and fleshy on the palate, it combines velvety tannins with notable freshness, savoury depth and finely judged power. The finish is long, seamless and fruit-driven. Stand upright and decant carefully before serving with blue cheese or dark chocolate.
Croft 1967 Quinta da Roêda Vintage Port 750 mL
Deep ruby in the glass, opening with dark chocolate, black pepper, warm spice and black forest fruit. The palate is mouth-filling, with a sweet entry giving way to rich, ripe fruit and a lively thread of spice. Generous in texture yet still bright, it carries its mature character with notable energy. The finish is long and persistent, leaving dark fruit and sweet spice in balance.
Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port 1990
Opaque and powerful, with blackberry, plum, ripe cherry and dark berry layered with dried leaf, cocoa and warm spice. The palate is broad yet balanced, combining concentrated fruit with integrated spirit, firm structure and a fresh line that keeps the sweetness composed. Long and resonant on the finish, it is excellent with blue cheese, dark chocolate or roasted nuts.
Delaforce 1977 Vintage Port
Violet and lavender rise above dried cherry, fig and sweet red fruit, with cinnamon, nutmeg, cedar and spiced chocolate adding mature complexity. The palate is medium-bodied and sweet, its resolved tannins carrying toffee, berry and a touch of cold tea. Balanced and persistent, it is ready to enjoy after careful decanting.
Gould Campbell 1997 Vintage Port
Plum and ripe strawberry meet liquorice, cocoa and a subtle leafy note on a dark, focused nose. The palate is full and lightly sweet, with juicy fruit, firm tannins and a chewy, solid frame. Spice builds through the mid-palate before a long, structured finish. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or dark chocolate.
Quinta Do Vale Meao 2018 Douro
Deeply coloured and concentrated, with a layered aroma that unfolds without any single note dominating. The palate is vibrant and expansive, balancing ripe tannins, polished oak and a creamy texture with notable poise. Power builds through the centre yet never obscures the wine's elegance. The finish is very long and composed, carrying integrated wood, dark-toned depth and steady freshness.