The Port house of Taylor is now 334 years old and holds one of the most extensive reserves of very old cask aged Ports of any producer. The collection includes single harvest Ports and over the past years they have made a number of limited edition releases that have drawn on these impressive reserves, all of which have been very special indeed.
After a break from 1972 to 1974 - reserves of these vintages are non-existent - the tenth release of the series is the 1976 Single Harvest, which we tasted late last year next to the 1975. The wine has now shipped to the UK and is available for sale.
The 1976 Taylor Very Old Single Harvest Port is a great example of the combination of freshness and vibrancy with beautiful mature flavours that only aged tawny Port can offer. Slow and gentle ageing in seasoned casks makes for extreme aromatic complexity yet with an innate freshness that is beguiling; it is a wine that has you going back for more after every sip.
The wine is ready to drink and does not need decanting. Once opened it can be enjoyed over some time, ideally within a couple of months.
Each bottle comes in an individual wooden presentation case, and is available to buy by the bottle.
A tawny to mahogany hue. An opulent, intense and hedonistic nose of Cuban tobacco, dried herbs, black tea, cinnamon, spice and raisins. Freshly roasted coffee beans too. Incense, cloves, camphor & plenty of woodsmoke. This is more concentrated and focussed than the very good 1975 which we tasted side-by-side. Smoky notes on the palate too. A succulent, velvety texture. Wonderfully opulent sweetness on the mid-palate followed by the clean refreshing cut of lively acidity giving a vibrant, racy and clean finish with plenty of ‘zing’ ! There’s a silky-smooth end palate with a lip smacking ‘estery’ character too. Layered and complex. Very long. Delicious stuff.
