2016 Port

Impenetrable crimson, the 2016 vintage from this, the Douro’s grandest quinta hangs in the glass with a seductive, glossy sheen. High-toned bramble fruit leads a nose that knocks you for six with its vibrancy and veuve. Dried lavender and violets bring a core of fig and fruitcake alive, while a cameo of macerated black cherry marries with nutmeg and clove spice effortlessly. This is a Port succeeding in precision and balance over gratuitous power this year, and the proportions on the palate are fine and well-honed. A crunchy berry lift at the end puts a spring in the step and the concentration ensures an enviable length. Consistency is the watchword at Vesuvio, but to count this as just yet another success would be to downplay the brilliant result this year. Drink 2025-40+. Jared Ehret, Private Account Manager

This has dark, rich, berry fruit on the nose, lifted by exotic spice and hints of dark chocolate. There’s deep, rich, dark fruit on the palate too – blueberries and blackcurrants – vying with blackberries and raspberries for attention. A rich, chocolatey mouth-feel brings it all together, with crisp acidity and fine tannins ensuring this will be a wine that will keep for decades. Elegant, spicy, full and beautifully balanced on the long, fine finish. Drink 2030-60. Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager

Fonseca is always the fleshier, more exuberant of the main Houses and nowhere is this more clearly seen than in 2016. Rich and sweet, overflowing with pure blackberry fruit, it is quite something to taste. There is a sumptuousness about this Port which marries well with the evident yet supple tannins of the vintage. This is a noholds-barred, fruit-forward powerhouse which will retain its punch for many years to come. Drink 2028-45+. Catriona Felstead MW, Buyer

There is an inviting freshness on the nose of 2016 Taylor’s which bodes for an elegant style of Vintage Port. There is no lack of fruit, however, on the palate, which brims with sweet, ripe blackberries and a gentle hint of lavender. There are herbal notes here too, mixing with the floral, all balanced beautifully with a very fine, bright citrussy acidity and a lovely touch of pink grapefruit. The sophistication of this wine is underpinned by earthy, grainy tannins and a harmonious finish that just goes on and on. Very impressive indeed. Drink 2030-2050+. Catriona Felstead MW, Buyer

The 2016 is by no means a shrinking violet, yet shows a reassured and restrained class – and, above all, finesse and elegance. The wine has a luxurious texture, a light sweetness, an array of delicious fruit flavours which finishes with a savoury touch. This is a keeper, and a tour de force from one of Vintage Port’s greatest houses. Drink 2028-60. Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager

Contains one bottle (75cl) of each of the following:
– 2016 Croft, Vintage Port
– 2016 Fonseca, Vintage Port
– 2016 Taylor, Vintage Port 

The 2016 Vintage Ports have finally hit the market. Cockburn is one of the great historic properties in the Douro Valley, which is now part of the Symington portfolio (along with Graham’s, Dow’s and Warre’s and more). The 2016 Cockburn is 62 percent Touriga Nacional, 21 percent Touriga Franca, nine percent Sousão and eight percent Alicante Bouschet, predominately hillside grapes from the family’s Quinta dos Canais vineyard, which has been the backbone of Cockburn Vintage Port for over 100 years. The nose on the 2016 shows fragrant red and black fruit, wild flowers, clove, ginger and spice. The palate offers extracted red fruits with layers of spice and a lovely acidity throughout. Very dry and complex with incredible length, hide this away somewhere dark and look at it again in at least 10 years. Drink 2028-50.
Mike Jordan, Private Account Manager

Amazing purple in colour, the nose is balanced with integrated alcohol, amidst enticing aromas of ripe blackberry and damson, cloves, milk chocolate and a wild-violet perfume. Seamlessly textured across the palate with silky, woven tannins, there is a fine balance between alcohol and acidity. The core is laced with red plums and cherries, while sweet spices and a touch of orange zest appear in the background. There is ample structure underneath, with a chalky freshness and remarkable purity providing plenty of elegance across the palate and on to the long, rewarding finish. A magnificent successor to the mighty 2011, sensational would sum it up! Forget about this for 10 years and start enjoying from 2028-60+.
Chris Lamb, Private Account Manager 

The 2016 Noval is very impressive. The nose is intense with brooding dark berry fruit and an earthy touch. The palate is focused and linear with a citrus lick to the acidity, heading into rather fascinating hints of fresh blood orange. The most astonishing things about this Vintage Port though is just how exceptionally smooth, rounded and fine it is, given the richness of the fruit. The high level of tannins feel almost ‘coated’ as they glide seamlessly across the palate. All is in balance here and the finish draws ever onward culminating in a slightly herbal lift. This was one of my favourite Ports of 2016. Drink 2030-2050+.
Catriona Felstead MW, Port Buyer