Falstaff

Deep ruby-garnet with violet reflections and subtle ochre highlights at the rim. Delicate notes of dried plums, figs and tobacco are underpinned by walnut and fine dark chocolate, with hints of preserved cherries adding complexity to the multifaceted bouquet. Juicy and powerful yet elegant on the palate, with dark berry fruit layered with chocolate. Balanced and persistent, it has already reached an initial stage of drinking maturity. Nougat and saline minerality emerge on the finish. A classy wine with clear potential for further ageing.

Robert Parker

Now with a couple years in bottle, I am erring to the Taylor’s over the Fonseca (although these can always change!) The Taylor’s show more delineation and refinement with pure black currant, cassis, pencil box, hints of marzipan and a hint of dark chocolate. The palate is full-bodied and sumptuous with super-fine tannins, very pure blackberry and boysenberry notes interlaced with cedar, dried fig and a touch of black pepper on the beautifully refined finish. Excellent.

James Suckling

This is solid as a rock with firm and chewy tannins. Has grip. Full-bodied and off dry with gorgeous fruit. Dried fruit such as raisin and prune too. Long and very intense. Gorgeous. Great bottle.

Tastingbook.com

Jamie Goode

Intense, vivid nose is spicy and dense with lovely bright aromatics, as well as some violet florality. The palate is rich and bold with lots of sweetness. Generous, with smooth, intense fruit and firm yet fine-grained tannins. Massive fruit and lovely structure. Brilliant. 95–97/100

Wine Enthusiast

Taylor Fladgate's vintage Ports are always among the legendary wines. This hugely structured wine keeps the dense, perfumed tradition very much alive. Along with the power, it also has wonderful fruit, bursting out with blackberry jam. Even with all the fruitiness, it needs to age for decades.

Huon Hooke

Dense, saturated purple colour. Very young and bright, with a fresh, bell-clear blackberry aroma. Powerful, concentrated, dense and very, very ripe - almost Aussie VP style ripeness. Rich and driving on the finish with clean tannins and spirit drying it off. Great potential.

Revista de Vinhos

Austere, with concentrated black fruit, fine mineral notes and a subtle floral character. Elegant and fresh. Creamy and textured on the palate, with highly polished tannins, impressive volume and a very long finish. Sophisticated yet restrained. Alcohol: 20.5%.

Jancis Robinson

Blackish purple. This, unusually, had the headiness of Fonseca 2009 on the nose and seemed more luscious and velvety than the Quinta da Vargellas Vinha Velha on the palate. Very rich, round and thrilling. Dense and pure. A bit of a schoolmaster in terms of straight back and firm structure. Very long, firm and thrilling – surely a long term bet with additional early charm, presumably from the exceptionally hot, dry vintage.

Vivino

(620 bedømmelser, 07-10-2026)