Symingtons 2019 bottles.jpg copy

Symington: 2019 Single Quintas New Releases

Portugal, featured

Neal Martin, Jun 2021

The 2019 vintage in the Douro may not have coerced Symingtons into a declaration, but it did lay the foundation for a set of new single Quintas releases.

1896 taylors port

Cellar Favorite: 1896 Taylor’s Single Harvest Port

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Portugal

Neal Martin, Jun 2021

Several years ago, Taylor’s Fladgate had what might be described as a eureka moment. Instead of using precious, ancient and irreplaceable pipes of Port into their 40-Year Old Blend for example, why not see if there is a niche market for limited launches of historical fortified wines?

Taylors single harvest 1961

Cellar Favorite: 1961 Taylor’s Very Old Single Harvest Port

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Portugal

Neal Martin, Jan 2021

After half-a-century, Taylor’s have just released a 1961 Very Old Single Harvest Port. The 1961 growing season was no write off.

1966 dow's port 2copy

Cellar Favorite: 1966 Dow’s Vintage Port

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Portugal

Josh Raynolds, Oct 2020

The vintage Ports of 1966, despite their extremely high quality, have and probably always will live in the shade of the monumental 1963s, which is great news for consumers.

Cover single quinta 2018 bottles copy

2018 Vintage Port Releases

Portugal, featured

Neal Martin, Jun 2020

A third general declaration in a row is unthinkable for Port, however 2018 has seen the release of some exceptional Single Quintas and a handful of individual Port House declarations.

Image %2813%29

Cellar Favorite: 1970 Taylor’s Single Harvest Port

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Portugal

Neal Martin, Jun 2020

Writing this on what is fast becoming the most glorious warm spring here in the UK, it feels slightly odd to be focusing upon a fortified wine associated with winter. Nevertheless, several Port houses have declared single-quinta 2018s that shall be reviewed soon on Vinous.

1966 dow's port 1 copy

Cellar Favorite: 1966 Dow’s Vintage Port

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Portugal

Josh Raynolds, Jan 2020

Nineteen sixty-six has long been an undervalued year for Port, especially given the across-the-board quality of the wines, many of which can stand toe-to-toe with their 1963 siblings.

Doliveiras bottles

Madeira: Fortified for All Occasions

Portugal, featured

Neal Martin, Oct 2019

Following my look at ancient Madeira earlier this year, we shift the focus towards younger Madeira and more recent bottlings, many of which offer great value together with the joy that this fortified wine can bring.

Mcdxix blend

Cellar Favorite: MCDXIX, The Winemaker’s Selection Madeira – Blandy’s

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Portugal

Neal Martin, Sep 2019

This year marks 600 years since the discovery and settlement of the island of Madeira in 1419. To celebrate, Blandy’s is releasing a special blend called “MCDXIX, The Winemaker’s Selection.”

Port 2017 line up

An Ineluctable Pair: 2017 Vintage Ports

Portugal, featured

Neal Martin, Jun 2019

General Declarations of Vintage Port tend to be spread three or four per decade and never successively. But hot on the heels of the fêted 2016 arrive their 2017 counterparts. What kind of growing season prompted this unprecedented move and do these latest releases offer something different?