2003 Taylor Fladgate

When tasting the 2003s for the first time, we kept going back to this wine, as we so often do with Taylor which is surely the most cerebral and complex of all the Vintage Ports. Effortlessly eschewing the excesses of the vintage, 2003 Taylor's Vintage is superb. Dense and inky, with a nose of woodsmoke, cassis, leather and meat, it is richly textured, firmly tannic, with peppery grip and a long, rewarding finish. This is, without doubt, a Vintage Port of the highest quality.Taylor Port

Dark, luscious crimson. Some development at the rim. Very married, integrated nose. Super luscious - really quite different from the usual Taylor - so concentrated and luscious and polished you could almost enjoy it tonight! Just a tad of tar and liquorice on the end but almost irresistible now!! Just a bit of fine tannin on the end.
Jancis Robinson MW - jancisrobinson.com – Sep 2011 

With air, notes of molasses, burnt sugar, spices, and jammy plums emanate from the glass. Full-bodied, hugely dense, immensely rich, as well as thick, this behemoth is also amazingly balanced and harmonious. Raisins, molasses, licorice, black cherries, plums, and a distinctive note of violets arefound in its complex, seamless character. Its interminable finish reveals additional notes of chocolate, kirsch, red as well as black currants, dark cherries, and rose blossoms. Armed with exceptional power, depth, and purity,this Taylor will proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest evercrafted by the Fladgate Partnership.
(Robert Parker)