TAYLOR FLADGATE Vintage Port 2018 Bottle

Description

The 2018 Vintage Port from Taylor’s is an elegant expression of the Douro terroir, receiving high praise from critics. Decanter rates it a remarkable 98 points, highlighting its deep, scented profile with notes of violets, mint, and berry fruits. The wine displays fine-grained tannins that lead to a long, linear finish, showcasing its potential as a long-term keeper. James Suckling, awarding 96 points, notes the attractive dried fruits, fresh herbs, and a polished texture that promises a sophisticated tasting experience after aging until at least 2027. The Wine Advocate gives it 95 points, describing its aromatic complexity and fine concentration, with a structure that points toward greatness in the years to come. This vintage port beautifully balances elegance and depth, destined for exquisite drinking over the next few decades.

*****

DECANTER 98 points
Tasted by: Richard Mayson
(at 2018 Vintage Port Tasting, 01 Jun 2020) Part of Celebrate the coronation of King Charles III
Drinking Window: 2033 - 2065
A blend from Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro Superior (the backbone) and Quintas Terra Feita and Junco in the Pinhão Valley. Deep, scented (violets and esteva or gum cistus), minty too, restrained but already quite expressive; lovely pure mint and berry fruit backed by fine-grained tannins, which rise in the mouth to a long, level, linear finish. Not especially big but beautifully poised and very elegant. This has all the qualities of a long-term keeper. It is already magnificent and will be even more so in 15 to 20 years. 7,800 cases produced.

JAMES SUCKLING 96 points
Very attractive dried fruit with hints of stems and fresh herbs. Violets and dark berries, too. Full-bodied with a dense center palate of fruit and intense, chewy tannins. Yet, there’s polish and refinement to the texture. Relatively dry and precise at the finish. Reminds me of 1980, but with much better polish to it. Wait until at least 2027 to take a look.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95 points
Drink Date: 2028 - 2065
"The 2018 Vintage Port is a field blend aged for approximately 18 months in very old and large wooden vats. It comes in with 100 grams of residual sugar. This is the third straight declaration (2016, 2017 and this 2018) of a classic Vintage Port for Taylor's. Of those three, this so far would be my least favorite, but it's close and time will tell. Aromatic and expressive, this adds a big bang for a finish that reminds you that it is, indeed, Taylor's. After opening it on the first day tasted, it tightened fast and showed the structure I like to see in serious Ports. It has that classic flavor profile as well and shows fine concentration. Even 48 hours later it had no problem showing off a little muscle, even though it drank decently at that point. The fruit is expressive, as noted, but it is still a bit closed just now.

I am not sure this is a truly great Taylor's, but it is a very good one. In the Fladgate Partnership lineup this issue, it is probably the most complete wine. The Croft is the sexy steal with utterly delicious fruit, but Taylor's has better structure. The Fonseca has fine structure, but the fruit seems today to be a step behind the Taylor and the Croft in expressiveness. This seems likely to be the best of the Fladgate trio as the years and decades wear on, even though the Croft is the most interesting today. The price references a full bottle, although this was tasted from a half bottle." - Mark Squires, 17th Dec 2020

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5++ points
Blackish crimson. Neat-looking. Pepper and herbs on the nose – almost makes you want to sneeze. And again the voluptuous fruit almost kids you that you could drink this now but instead there is a massive charge of fine tannin underneath. This is definitely not for sipping now but is a monument for the future. Rather dry and refined as opposed to opulent. (Go to Fonseca Guimaraens for opulence.) Very long, dry and savoury overall within the vintage port canon. (JR)