January 2016
These selections have newly arrived as cellar releases from the wineries. Enjoy one of these perfectly aged classics!
Graham’s Vintage Port 2000 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 98 points –#9 Top 100 2003–“Smells like freshly picked orchids, with loads of ripe, clean fruit. Full-bodied, medium sweet and very powerful and racy. It lasts for minutes on your palate. Yet there’s a balance and class to this young Vintage Port. This is the greatest glass of Graham I have ever tasted, young or old. Best after 2014.”
James Suckling 98 points “Aromas of dried fruits, raisins and Christmas cake. Some chocolate undertones too, plus licorice and wet earth. Full body, medium sweet with gorgeous depth and intensity of fruit. So long and beautiful. What an amazing finish already. So sexy. Drink or hold. But this will go on for decades.” JS
Dow’s Vintage Port 1963 750ML ($399.95) $319 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Pale brick colour with fragrant scents of mossy wood, potpourri, cinnamon and dried mulberry plus a whiff of espresso. A mature, well balanced Port comes through in the mouth with high acidity cutting through the lingering dried berry and spice fruit and a medium level of grainy tannins. Long finish.”
Graham’s Vintage Port 1970 750ML ($249.95) $199 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is an extremely full-bodied, powerful wine, but it still retains a classy balance. Deep ruby, with chocolate and berry aromas, full-bodied, with anise and dried cherry flavors, full, hard tannins and a long finish…” WS
Wine Advocate 93 points “Graham is another great port house, producing one of the deepest-colored and sweetest styles of vintage port. Along with Taylor and Fonseca, Graham has probably been the most consistent producer of great port in the post- World War II era. Their tawnys are quite good rather than exceptional, but their vintage ports are truly sublime and sumptuous. The 1970 is a monumental vintage port and one of the greats of the vintage. It begs to be drunk now, although it will last for at least another two decades.”
Graham’s Vintage Port 1980 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “This is very impressive, with loads of fruit and tannins. Deep ruby, with a floral, cherry and plum nose, full-bodied, with medium tannins and sweet plum flavors on the finish.”
Graham’s Vintage Port 1983 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “A superb achievement from a very underrated year. Deep dark ruby-purple, with rich floral and violet aromas, full-bodied, with masses of strawberry flavors, full tannins and a long finish.”
Robert Parker 92 points “The 1983, like most vintage ports, seems more forward than normal but has a great depth of very ripe, viscous, unctuous, plummy, tarry fruit and significant tannin in its long finish. It is black-purple in color. I doubt that it will be either as profound or as long-lived as the great 1977, but is is certainly one of the top two or three ports of this vintage, and better than the excellent 1980.” RP
Graham’s Vintage Port 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “This offers a decadently fruity aroma, with peppery accents to the cherry, raspberry and dark currant flavors that are lithe and juicy. Grippy tannins grace the mocha- and chocolate-infused finish.” WS
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of licorice, wet earth and berries follow through to a full body, medium sweetness and a chewy finish. Real deal. Structured. 8,000 cases produced of this mechanically trodden wine. Try after 2023.” JS
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The 2011 Graham’s comes from the five quintas that have been the source for many years (Malvedos, Tua, Vila Velha, das Lages and Vale de Malhadas). It represents a selection of the 131 pipes from a total production of 1,454 and is a blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, 31% Touriga Franca, 6% Sousao and 23% mixture of very old vines. It has a more “serious” bouquet compared to the Dow, with beguiling scents of blackberry, wild hedgerow, tobacco and cloves. Straight-laced, very well-defined and compelling, the palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and supremely well-judged acidity. It is utterly harmonious, with a pure core of ripe black cherries, damson, marmalade, clove and spices, and the finish lingers long in the mouth. The separation of “The Stone Terraces” vines certainly does not appear to have detracted from a great Graham’s. 5,000 cases declared. Tasted May 2013.”
Blandy’s Vintage Bual, Madeira 1948 750ML ($499.95) $359 special
“Aged 56 years in cask; bottled in 2004. Outstanding wine, with a very long finish. Rich, sweet, carmelized, with lemony acidity. A fleshy wine; its concentration and bitter orange finish makes it a standout.”–Wine Review Online.com