Pale mahogany core surrounded by a broad pale gold rim with subtle olive highlights. On first impression, the wine is lifted and ethereal but soon begins to unfurl layer after layer of multi-dimensional aroma. First to emerge are notes of sawn wood and cigar leaf, against a background of cedar, balsam and citrus. These are followed by a warmer, mellow redolence of marzipan, walnut and coffee, notes of sultana and plum and spicy hints of black pepper and cardamom. Finally, the nose opens up a discreet savoury dimension, with hints of toast and wild herbs. On the palate, the wine has a smooth, velvety texture. Rich, dense and sumptuous, it coats the tongue with opulent mellow flavour, coffee and butterscotch with hints of walnut and candied orange peel, but with a remarkable freshness from the current of lively acidity which runs through the palate into the extraordinary long finish. A wonderfully elegant, finely constituted and beautifully matured port delivering a surge of rich flavour with every sip.

Deep crimson just beginning to display some maturity on the rim. The explosive fruitiness of early youth is now more restrained as the wine begins to settle into maturity but the nose is still driven by impressive focused blackberry and blackcurrant aromas set off by the classic Taylor scent of violets. Full bodied and well structured palate delivering rich blackberry and cassis flavours with spicy, figgy, liquorice flavours evolving on the long and sumptuous finish.