Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2017

Winery Background and History

Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman (Taylor Fladgate) has a long heritage in Port, founded in 1692 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, and is one of the leading historic Port houses.  The Quinta de Vargellas estate is one of Taylor’s flagship vineyards, and the “Vinha Velha” edition is produced only in exceptional vintages, using the oldest vine plots in Vargellas. 

Producer and Wine Maker

Produced by Taylor Fladgate. The winemaking team selects fruit from their oldest plots (80–120 years old) at Vargellas, ferments, fortifies, and ages the wine under the house’s quality protocols. 

Vineyards and Micro Climate

The grapes come from the Quinta de Vargellas estate, particularly the “Vinha Velha” plots of very old vines (80-120 years old) across several parcels (Polverinho, Renova do Depósito, Renova do Armazém, Gricha and Vinha Grande) in the remote eastern Douro Valley.  The climate is continental: hot, dry growing season with cool nights, which help retain acidity and balance in the grapes. Soils are schist terraces which force vine concentration and minerality.

Vinification & Aging Methods

Fermentation is carried out and then halted by fortification (adding grape spirit) to preserve residual sugars, as per typical Port methods.  After fortification, the wine ages in large, conditioned oak vats for about 2 years before bottling unfiltered, then continues aging in bottle. 

Tasting Notes

The wine shows a nearly opaque ruby black core with a narrow purple rim.  Aromas reveal dense, dark berries (blackberry, cassis, black cherry), woodland bramble fruit, with mineral/flinty edges, wild herbs, and cedar wood. With time, more complex notes like beeswax, leather, and cigar box emerge.  On the palate, the wine is full, with thick, granular tannins supporting rich black and red fruit, integrated structure, and a crescendo of flavor towards the finish. 

Food & Wine Pairing

Best served as a dessert or after-dinner wine. It pairs beautifully with blue cheeses (Stilton, Roquefort), dark chocolate desserts, berries and nut confections, figs, walnuts, and aged hard cheeses.

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve at about 16-18 °C. Because it is unfiltered, decant carefully before serving (leave sediment behind). Use a port glass or smaller red wine glass to concentrate aromas.

Storage and Aging Potential

This wine is made for long aging. Under ideal cellar conditions (cool ~12-14 °C, stable humidity, low light), it should continue evolving for several decades. Its structure, acidity and rich fruit make it a strong candidate for long cellaring.

Grape Varietals & percentage used

Blend of traditional Douro varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão. 

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

20 % 

Scores

• Wine Enthusiast: 100 pts (Roger Voss)