Taylor's Port, 2011

Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port
Single Bottle

Description and Reviews:
Review Scores
*** 99 Points Wine Enthusiast - Jancis ***
*** 96+ - Wine Advocate ***
*** 96 Points James Suckling ***

Tasting Notes
99 points Wine Enthusiast
The sweetness of the wine vies with the acidity to bring out a dense structure, black currant flavors and firm tannins that are strongly integrated into the ripe texture. This is a gorgeous, dense, concentrated wine, coming into balance while showing great structure and potential. (9/2013)



96-98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Outer quote mark As a reminder, the Vinha Vilha is a selection of old vine fruit from the terraces of Polverinho and Renova do Armazem. Comparing it directly with the Taylor’s, there is even more complexity and volume on the nose, with black currant, dark plum and a more accentuated crushed stone aroma that lends it wonderful terroir expression. Like the Fonseca, it develops compelling marine scents after 30-40 minutes in the glass, like stepping over rock pools when you were a kid. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous, sensual ripe tannins that layer the mouth. There is a palpable sense of harmony and composure to this Vinha Velha and there is a lot of horsepower, more so than the Taylor’s, on the multi-dimensional finish. The intensity of fruit means that it does not quite have the same degree of tension as the Taylor’s, but the depth and breadth of this young Port suggests it will be a seriously long-term fortified wine. Tasted May 2013. (5/2013)

96 points James Suckling
Outer quote mark Beautiful nose of flowers with plums and cherries; more like a fine table wine on the nose. Full body, medium sweet with super-refined tannins and a long, superb finish. All about finesse here. Only 310 cases produced of this foot-trodden wine from 19th century vines at the Vargellas estate. Try in 2022. Inner quote mark (5/2013)