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Gould Campbell,
For laying down,
Plums, figs and strawberries vie for attention on the nose of this accomplished wine. Gould Campbell has made a rich, opulent Port to celebrate their bicentenary. With plenty of power and hints of spice and pepper, this beautifully-textured wine is sweet and velvety with a powerful, assertive finish. Drink now to 2025.
Niepoort,
For laying down,
Dirk Niepoort's 1997 is a triumph. Vinified traditionally at their showpiece estate, Quinta do Passadouro, and including unusual varieties such as Tinta Amarela, the wine is intense and beautifully concentrated. Copious levels of sweet black fruits on the nose lead to a fruit-basket of flavours on the palate, supported by silky-soft tannins and an opulently sweet finish.
Taylor Fladgate,
For laying down,
Taylors have triumphed with their 1997. Even by their standards, this is an exceptional effort. The nose is extraordinarily elegant; a taut tapestry of the sweet and the savoury. Finesse on the palate ensures a completely harmonious integration of sweetness, alcohol and fruit with tight-knit tannins and a real intensity on the finish that emphasises the quality of this Port with measured authority. For many this is the wine of the vintage.
Warre,
For laying down,
The Institute of Masters of Wine organised a comprehensive tasting of 1997 ports to be tasted in alphabetical order. No. 34 was Warre and what a wonderful way to finish. Powerful and harmonious with a beautifully integrated tannins, its is colour holding very well, with no spirity notes or signs of premature ageing that have been noted with some of the 1997s. Indeed the fact that it was placed last is indicative not of the fact that W is close to the end of the alphabet, I suspect, but rather because the Warre 97, of all the great wines produced in that year, is currently showing the best.
(Simon Field MW - BBR Buyer)
(Simon Field MW - BBR Buyer)
Fonseca,
For laying down,
Fonseca is, in fact, a partner to its rival, Taylor's though the two brands have kept their separate identities. Long-lived, the vintage wines are renowned for their quality and intensity of fruit, sheer opulence, structure and balance to last for decades. Fonseca is without doubt a top name and one that everyone should aspire to try.
It is not without reason that Fonseca is described as the Margaux of the Douro; its wines have a femininity and grace that never flatter to deceive.
The 1997 is a perfect example; combining fresh aromatics and layers of berry fruit flavours with a firm but unobtrusive tannic structure. Enormously concentrated and perfectly balanced, this wine is archetypical Fonseca: proof, if proof were needed, that David Guimaraens has inherited all of his father's legendary winemaking skills. Drink now to 2050.
It is not without reason that Fonseca is described as the Margaux of the Douro; its wines have a femininity and grace that never flatter to deceive.
The 1997 is a perfect example; combining fresh aromatics and layers of berry fruit flavours with a firm but unobtrusive tannic structure. Enormously concentrated and perfectly balanced, this wine is archetypical Fonseca: proof, if proof were needed, that David Guimaraens has inherited all of his father's legendary winemaking skills. Drink now to 2050.
Showing 1-7 out of 7 items
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
Top class. Showing well at the MW tasting and then very high marks at Fells' tasting. Interesting nose, touch of tar and liquorice, whiff of honeycomb; lean yet fleshy, very good flavour and finish.
(Michael Broadbent MW - Vintage Wine)