By Taylor Fladgate
Vintage 2018

Vintage Details
The 2018 vineyard cycle was unusual and had a marked effect on the character of the wine. The previous year had been very dry and hot, and by 15th January, nearly two-thirds of the country was suffering from drought, the Douro Valley being one of the worst affected areas. Luckily, heavy rainfall in March avoided damage to the vines and replenished groundwater reserves. The growing season from March until June was relatively cold and wet, bringing mildew in some areas. Devastating hailstorms on 28th May caused extensive damage to vineyards in the Pinhao area, including Taylor Fladgate's Quinta do Junco. The development of the vines was about three weeks behind that of 2017, flowering occurring in late May and veraison in the last week of July. Dry, warm conditions prevailed throughout July, followed by a wave of very intense heat in August. On 3rd August, the weather station at Taylor Fladgate's Quinta de Vargellas recorded a temperature of just over 44 degrees C. The extreme heat allowed the vines to make up some lost time, and the abundant groundwater accumulated earlier in the year meant that, despite the hot conditions, ripening of the crop was gradual and balanced.

Harvest
Picking at Quinta de Vargellas began on 17th September in hot, dry weather, which continued for the harvest. Yields were very low, and winemakers' notes report that the new wines displayed elegance, freshness of fruit, good acidity, and intense color.

Tasting Notes
Impressive purple-black core with a narrow purple rim. An intense burst of powerful woodland fruit, dense blackberry coulis, and blackcurrant almost overwhelm the nose. The black fruit aromas are infused with discreet notes of cherry and mocha. As expected, the fruit is very fine and focused, but the year has given it an additional layer of density and weight. A familiar veil of violet scent hangs over the wine, with a fragrance of rose petals and wild, minty herbal aromas. On the palate, the wine has beautifully ripe tannins integrated perfectly into the mid-palate, providing both structure and volume and then breaking out on the finish with a firm, wiry grip. The palate closes with a powerful tide of fresh, complex fruit flowing endlessly through the finish. In the 2018, the Taylor traits of fine fruit and inner power combine seamlessly with the ripeness and depth typical of the vintage.

Decanting
Vintage Port forms a natural deposit in the bottle and should be decanted. Stand the bottle upright for a few hours before decanting to allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle.

Storage
It will continue to improve for decades after bottling. The bottle should be kept on its side in a cool place, ideally below 16 degrees C.

Serving Temperature
Serve at 16 to 18 degrees C. Vintage Port is best drunk one to two days after opening.

Pairing Suggestions
Walnuts, blue-veined, and other richly flavored cheeses are excellent accompaniments to Vintage Port, as are dried fruits such as apricots or figs.
[Information provided by Taylor Fladgate]

By Wine Enthusiast
Taylor Fladgate 2018 Vintage Port (Port)
From: Port, Portugal
Rating: 98 - Cellar Selection
Price: $120
Winery: Taylor Fladgate
Wine Type: Port/Sherry
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Variety: Port Blend
Alcohol: 20%
Issue Date:12/31/2020
This is an exceptional vintage, most unusually the third declared in a row from this producer. Intensely perfumed and richly structured with dark black fruits and concentrated tannins, it is set for seriously long-term aging. The power of the wine, based around the producer's Quinta da Vargellas, is magnificent. Drink this major Port from 2029.
Reviewed By: Roger Voss

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2018
Score: 96
Price: $120
Wine Type and Color: Red Dessert
Magazine Issue: Feb 28, 2021
Accolades: Highly Recommended
Region: Portugal / Port
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Remarkably harmonious already, with a beautiful display of unadulterated blueberry, blackberry and plum sauce flavors that fan out, while anise, ganache and cassis accents fill in. So lush and seductive through the finish, it’s nearly drinkable. But just wait. Best from 2030 through 2050.

2018 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port
Rating: 95
Producer: Taylor Fladgate
Wine Region: Portugal, Douro, Porto
Color / Type / Sweetness: Red / Fortified / Sweet
Importer Information: Kobrand Corporation
Reviewed by: Mark Squires
Release Price: $120
Drink Date: 2026 - 2065
[...]. This is the third straight declaration (2016, 2017 and this 2018) of a classic Vintage Port for Taylor's. When last seen, this was very good. Let's check in. This is an accessible Taylor's that drinks fairly well now, but it still shows some power. Most of all, though, the fruit is sensational. It's utterly delicious, with the young fruit ripe and rolling over the palate. This is coming along fast, so that with decanting, you might even drink it now, but that would be an error. It is not coming close to showing everything it has. In the back of my head, I am wondering a little about how fast this is coming around, so it seems, but it does so many things well, I can't be churlish right now. Let's see in time if it is going to be a long-haul wine, as I expect Taylor's to be.
Published: Aug 04, 2022

Taylor Fladgate 2019 Porto Vintage
Rating: 95
Price: $120
Capturing the brisk power of a classic Taylor vintage, this wine opens with a centrifugal force to its flavor intensity, then continues to evolve over the course of several days, its presence almost completely savory, its power developing a quiet exuberance. As is typical for a young Taylor, the wine is branded by austerity and the floral notes of esteva - the local rockrose that grows at the top of the vineyards at Vargellas, Taylor’s home quinta on the south bank at the entrance to the Douro Superior. The wine’s schist tannins are finely integrated into its shades of blue, black and red fruit, making this a graceful vintage of Taylor, easily the wine of the vintage in our tasting of 2018s. (12/20)
Kobrand, Purchase, NY