Taylor'S Vintage Port 2018

Winery Background and History

Taylor Fladgate (Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman) is a prestigious Port house founded in 1692 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Over centuries it has built reputational strength via vineyard holdings in the Douro and an extensive cellaring tradition. The house is known for its flagship Vintage Ports (declared only in exceptional years), aged tawnies, and other styles, blending tradition, consistency and elegance in its portfolio.

Producer and Wine Maker

The wine is produced by Taylor Fladgate under the direction of its blending and cellar team, led by Winemaker David Guimaraens. The team selects grape lots from their estate vineyards (notably Quinta de Vargellas, Quinta de Terra Feita, and Quinta do Junco) and ferments, fortifies, and ages them under strict quality protocols. The final blending reflects house style: fruit purity, structure, and capacity for long aging. 

Vineyards and Micro Climate

The 2018 blend sources heavily from Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro Superior, along with parcels from Quinta de Terra Feita and Quinta do Junco.  The Douro Valley experiences a continental climate: hot, dry summers and cool nights, which support fruit concentration while maintaining acidity. Schist soils and steep terracing force vine roots deep, enhancing complexity and minerality in the grapes. The microclimate influences—especially diurnal temperature swings—help preserve aromatic freshness even in fortified wines.

Vinification & Aging Methods

Fermentation is carried out until a portion of the grape sugars remain, then fermentation is halted by fortification with grape spirit (brandy). The wine is then aged for 2 years in conditioned French oak vats (large casks) before bottling unfiltered.  After bottling it continues maturation in bottle for decades.

Tasting Notes

On the nose: a dense bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, violet, hints of mocha, white pepper, tar, and elegant floral notes.  The palate is harmonious, firm and structured: ripe black fruits, pronounced but refined tannins, fresh acidity, layers of dark chocolate and spice, finishing with persistence, elegance and a fine grip. 

Food & Wine Pairing

Classic pairings include blue cheese (Stilton, Roquefort), dark chocolate, berry compotes, figs, walnuts, or pâtés. Also excellent with desserts like dark chocolate torte, black forest cake, or as an after-dinner sipper on its own.

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve at 16-18 °C (≈ 61-64 °F). Decant carefully (gently) to leave sediment behind, preferably after standing bottle upright for a few hours. Use a large wine or port glass. After opening, consume over one or two days to capture the wine at its expressive peak. 

Storage and Aging Potential

This is a long-living wine. Under proper cellar conditions (cool ~12-14 °C, stable humidity, minimal light), it can evolve beautifully over 30–50+ years. Its structure, acidity and fruit promise decades of development.

Grape Varietals & percentage used

Blend includes Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão, among others. 

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

20.00 % (typical for Vintage Port) 

Scores

• Wine Enthusiast: 98 pts (Roger Voss) 

• Vinous: 97 pts 

• Wine Spectator: 96 pts 

• James Suckling: ~93 pts (with aromatic comments)