2018 Grahams Late Bottled Vintage Port
Grape
Usually Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca , Tempranillo (Tinta Roriz)
Its Origins
The story of two families across three centuries. For almost two hundred years W & J Graham’s has been an independent family business renowned for producing the finest Port wines. Graham’s has always been a pioneer. Graham's was one of the first Port companies to invest in its own vineyards in Portugal’s Douro Valley in 1890 and is now at the cutting edge of innovation in winemaking techniques. Today, five Symington cousins share responsibility for every aspect of the company and personally make the Graham’s wines. They too have been involved with Port and the Douro for many generations, with ancestry dating back to the mid-17th century. Graham’s owns five mountainous vineyards, which are located in different parts of the best wine-growing areas of the Douro region. Each property has the maximum ‘A’ grade classification. Much of the original wild flora has been left deliberately undisturbed amongst the vines on these estates to preserve the indigenous biodiversity, which Graham’s believes contributes to making wines with a more unique and powerful expression of this terroir.
What The Critics Say
Winemakers note
This 2018 Late Bottled Vintage Port was produced from grapes sourced from Graham’s four vineyard estates located in various prime sites in the mountainous Douro Valley. This wine was matured in wood in the Graham’s 1890 lodge for six years prior to being bottled ready for drinking. Late Bottled Vintages, as the term implies, are bottled later than classic Vintage Ports (the latter after two years). The aromatic profile of this 2018 LBV is typically Graham’s, revealing blackcurrant and blackberry with secondary notes of dried mint leaf, eucalyptus, and a sprinkling of liquorice. The purity and freshness of the fruit are remarkable and the characteristic floral notes of rock rose (a wildflower which thrives in the Douro) also shine through. The rich, succulent black fruit flavours are bright and fresh, complemented by layers of cocoa, black plum and hints of white pepper. The Graham’s 2018 can be enjoyed anytime and pairs wonderfully with dark chocolate desserts as well as semi-cured and cured cheeses like Cheddar and Manchego. Once open, the wine will conserve all its fine properties for up to six weeks.
92/100 Wine Enthusiast, Roger Voss (2017 Vintage)
"The Port, with its luscious texture and black fruits, is impressive and dense. Black fruits are given richness and spice by the spirit and the raisin flavors. With its light structure, it is ready to drink."
91/100 Wine Spectator (2017 Vintage)
"Inviting, with plum cake and steeped raisin and plum notes laced with licorice snap and fruitcake accents. There's a solid spine for support, but this is approachable now. Try decanting or even giving a touch more time in the cellar."
| Variety | Port |
|---|---|
| Region | Douro |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Alcohol | 20.00% |
| Maturity | 2022 - 2030 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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