W & J GRAHAM'S Vintage Port 'Bicentenary Edition' 2020 Bottle

Description

This is a remarkable expression, meticulously crafted from high-altitude, north-west facing vines across three of Graham’s four estates: Quinta dos Malvedos, Quinta da Vila Velha, and Quinta do Tua. This unique blend features co-fermented Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Sousão alongside old mixed vines and Alicante Bouschet, resulting in an opulent and fresh wine with classic Graham’s hallmarks. Jancis Robinson awarded it an impressive 18.5++ points, noting its darker colour and minty notes, while praising its muscular yet refined character and complex floral elements. The Wine Advocate rated it 94 points, highlighting its sweet and well-structured profile after 18 months in old oak vats. With only 3,000 bottles produced for its bicentenary, this Vintage Port is ideal for cellaring from 2029 to 2075, promising a truly exceptional tasting experience in the years to come.

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Graham’s 2020 Vintage Port is drawn from high altitude and north-west facing vines across three of Graham’s four estates – Quinta dos Malvedos (55%), Quinta da Vila Velha (25%), & Quinta do Tua (20%).

This Vintage Port is a unique blend of co-fermented Touriga Nacional & Touriga Franca co-fermented Sousão & Touriga Nacional (from the prized Stone Terraces at Malvedos) Old mixed vines (field blend) Alicante Bouschet.

The result is an extraordinarily opulent, intense, and fresh Vintage Port. While it has the classic Graham’s hallmarks, the wine is marked by a unique aromatic complexity and beautifully layered fruit.

Limited commemorative bottling of 3,000 bottles (75cl).

JANCIS ROBINSON 18.5++ points
Black core. Darker colour than the Warre's 2020. Minty notes. Franca likes hot vintages, apparently, and the Sousão provides fantastic acidity and colour. Firmer, chewier, more muscular than the Warre's and yet still so incredibly refined. Powerful and yet seductive in its richness and more scented as it opens. Violets, on the palate too. Sturdier tannins, less velvety, more chewy, even though it is still incredibly polished. (JH)

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Drink Date: 2029 - 2075
"The 2020 Vintage Port is a blend of 25% Touriga Nacional, 40% Touriga Franca, 22% Sousão and various others, including a blend from old vines. It comes in with 118 grams of residual sugar after 18 months in old oak vats. This likely got a little extra incentive in terms of its declaration because of Graham's bicentenary, but it is a pretty good offering. Sweet and easy, this comes into a good place with just a couple of hours of aeration. It opens disjointed and angular, then resolves into a lovely Port with great fruit and good supporting structure. This needs some time. It should develop more and improve. When it gets to where it is going, it is going to be delicious. Let's start here, but plan on cellaring this. There were 3,000 bottles made in this bicentenary limited edition." - Mark Squires