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Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velhas, Taylor Fladgate 2011

Tasting Notes

As a reminder, the Vinha Vilha is a selection of old vine fruit from the terraces of Polverinho and Renova do Armazem. Comparing it directly with the Taylor's, there is even more complexity and volume on the nose, with black currant, dark plum and a more accentuated crushed stone aroma that lends it wonderful terroir expression. Like the Fonseca, it develops compelling marine scents after 30-40 minutes in the glass, like stepping over rock pools when you were a kid. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous, sensual ripe tannins that layer the mouth. There is a palpable sense of harmony and composure to this Vinha Velha and there is a lot of horsepower, more so than the Taylor's, on the multi-dimensional finish. The intensity of fruit means that it does not quite have the same degree of tension as the Taylor's, but the depth and breadth of this young Port suggests it will be a seriously long-term fortified wine. Tasted May 2013.

96/98
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, May 2013

Beautiful nose of flowers with plums and cherries; more like a fine table wine on the nose. Full body, medium sweet with super-refined tannins and a long, superb finish. All about finesse here. Only 310 cases produced of this foot-trodden wine from 19th century vines at the Vargellas estate. Try in 2022.

96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2013

Actually not as deep purple as some. More deep crimson. Complex and wild nose, sort of biodynamic kind of profile. There's something burgundian and devil-may-care about this wine. It's lovely for drinking already. How on earth are they going to persuade people to hang on to it?? The sort of singer who doesn't obey any rules; just belts it out and doesn't mind whether the orchestra keeps up or not. Transparent and very distinctive. I'm tempted to give a crazy drinking window… Drink 2020 - 2070

19.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, May 2013
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.