TAYLOR FLADGATE Vintage Port 2003 Bottle

Description

The 2003 Vintage Port from Taylor's is an extraordinary wine that embodies the hallmark characteristics of this esteemed house, earning high praise from critics. The Wine Advocate awarded it 96 points, noting its robust structure and youthful character, supported by remaining tannins and an exceptional flavor profile. Tom Canavan rated it 95 points, highlighting its ashy notes, juicy sweet cherry fruit, and complex layers of chocolate and earthy undertones, with a long, spicy finish. James Suckling scored it 94 points, praising its dark plums, orange peel, and elegant, fine tannins. With a drinking window from 2022 to 2065, this remarkable vintage Port promises to evolve beautifully, making it a must-try for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

*****

THE WINE ADVOCATE 96 points
Reviewed by: Mark Squires
Drink Date: 2022 - 2065
The 2003 Vintage Port is a field blend aged for approximately 21 months in oak vats. It comes in with 93 grams of residual sugar. This oldie will be rereleased soon. As much as the Fladgate Group's 2003 oldies in this report all have bragging points, this is Taylor's, and the structure takes the lead for all of them. Still a wee bit tight, this is far younger than the Croft, not fully mature or at peak and classic Taylor's. The remaining tannins support the fruit perfectly, but nothing to me is better here than the flavor profile. This is a fine Taylor's, still with plenty of room to evolve and improve. It could actually use a few more years, not to tame the tannins, but to acquire more maturity. .....

TOM CANAVAN 95 points
"A lovely ashy note to this, dry with a lifted floral character and that lovely hint of volatility that sits so well. Sweet and so juicy on the palate, the rush of sweet cherry fruit and acidity, backed up by the more chocolate and earthy notes, long and spicy tobacco-like, the fruity extract persisting. An approximate bottle price is given: most retailers at time of review are offering this by the case." Tasted in 2020

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points
This is coming around beautifully now with dark plums, orange peel, chocolate and graphite undertones. It’s full-bodied with fine and chewy tannins and a long finish. A very fresh and elegant Taylor for this hot vintage, which slightly surprised me from the beginning. Drinkable but better in five years for me.

VINOUS 93+ points
Bright, saturated ruby. Vibrant, pure aromas of blackberry, violet and bitter chocolate. Juicy, minerally, precise and penetrating, but quite primary and unevolved today. Shows strong but integrated acidity and a tight kernel of fruit. Best today on the slow-building, rising, aristocratic finish. But today the wine's tannins are less obvious than its acids. This seems distinctly less ripe and chewy than the great 2000 Taylor's but it's still extremely unevolved. Latour-like in its structure and reserve. - Stephen Tanzer

DECANTER 93 points
Tasted by: Richard Mayson, Shane Jones, Demetri Walters MW
(at Decanter Tasting Suite, London, 01 Oct 2022) Part of Vintage Port 2000 and 2003: panel tasting results
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2050
Leather, coffee and spice at the outset. Sweet spices, chocolate and mocha bring depth and structure supported by firm, ripe tannins and leading to a berry fruit and bitter chocolate finish.

JANCIS ROBINSON 18 points
Very subtle nose indeed and to me, someone without unlimited access to vintage ports(!), this seems pretty delicious now. Yes, there is lots of tannin but also lots of very charming pruney fruit. Exciting with sufficient freshness as well as sweetness and interest. (JR)