Porto
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.
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 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.
Smith Woodhouse 2003 Vintage Port 1.5L
Violet, wild herbs and pepper lift a deep core of blackberry, black plum and dark cherry. Rich and powerful, the palate combines ripe fruit with tightly packed tannins, savoury spice and a measured mineral freshness. Dark chocolate and molasses add depth to the long, structured finish. The magnum should be stood upright and decanted carefully before serving.
Taylor Fladgate 2009 Vintage Port 375 mL
Inky black with a purple rim, opening on concentrated woodland fruit, raspberry and plum. Citrus blossom, mint and lavender lift the dense core, while a mineral edge adds definition. The palate is powerful and richly fruited, supported by thick, sinewy tannins that draw the wine into a long, tightly structured finish. Decant carefully before serving with blue cheese.
Smith Woodhouse 2003 Vintage Port
Crushed violet, bergamot and wild herbs lift a brooding core of black plum, blackberry and boysenberry. Powerful and rich, the palate combines ripe perfumed fruit with peppery spice, cigar box and tightly packed tannins. Dark chocolate and molasses deepen the long, structured finish. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or dark 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.
Dow’s 2016 Vintage Port
Black cherry and cassis form a deep, concentrated core, lifted by clove, violet and blood orange. Smoke, tobacco, fig and molasses add savoury complexity as the wine opens. Firm, fine tannins and a bright line of acidity keep the full palate focused and fresh, carrying the dark fruit into a long, driven finish. Best decanted and served with blue cheese.
Messias 1980 Colheita Port
Pale tawny in colour, with evolved aromas of noble wood, vanilla and a fine, lifted volatile note. Pepper, clove and nutmeg bring warm spice to the mature profile. The palate is powerful yet fresh, its balanced sweetness carried through a long, savoury finish. Serve slightly chilled; decanting is not required. Excellent with crème brûlée, treacle tart or nut-based desserts.
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.