Taylor Fladgate

Classic Vintage Porto 2009

Region: Portugal / Douro Valley Porto
Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Tinta Amarela

Overview / 2011 / 2009

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Produced only in exceptional vintages worthy of a vintage Porto declaration, Taylor Fladgate Classic Vintage Porto comes from the finest estate vineyards: Quinta de Vargellas, celebrated as one of the top 100 vineyards in the world, Quinta de Terra Feita and Quinta de Junco. All grapes undergo the traditional foot treading method, ensuring their fullest expression. Fermentation is halted by the addition of grape spirits before all the residual sugar has been fermented, creating a sweet, fortified wine. Following two years in wood, the wines are bottled unfiltered and will continue maturing for decades.

96 Points

Wine Enthusiast

2009 vintage

94 points

Wine Spectator

2009 vintage

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harvest note

2009 will be remembered as a year of very low yields. This was due to the very dry ripening season and low numbers of bunches on the vines. All vine varieties showed low fertility, although the vegetation was healthy and vigorous. The ripening season started with relatively cool weather that continued throughout July, but in August this turned to intense heat. From July right through to the harvest in September, there was almost no rain. These hot, arid conditions produced concentrated musts, rich in color, tannins and sugar, and by early September the grapes had reached phenolic maturity. An early start to the harvest on the Taylor Fladgate estates ensured that the wines had a good acid balance and avoided overripeness. Picking started on September 12 at Vargellas, in the hotter eastern reaches of the Douro, and on September 16 and 17 respectively in the two Pinhão Valley estates, Junco and Terra Feita.

tasting note

The wine is inky black with a purple rim. The nose opens on intensely concentrated black woodland fruit laced with raspberry and plum. Around this dense, fruity core, with its attractive vibrancy and minerality, is fragrant citrus blossom and scents of wild mint and lavender. Supported by a tight wrap of thick tannins, the palate explodes with concentrated ripe black fruit flavor. This wine manages to combine the massive structure and powerful fruitiness of the 2009 harvest with elegance, poise and finesse.

food pairing

Most often served after a meal, alone or with cheese, nuts or dried fruits. It may also be served with fine dark chocolate. The wine should be decanted before serving due to sediment in the bottle.

technical data

GRAPES: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Tinta Amarela
APPELLATION: Douro
ACIDITY: 4.7 g/l
ABV: 20%
AGING: 2 years in neutral oak
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 99.5 g/l

points of distinction

Taylor Fladgate Classic Vintage Porto is one of the most collectible, ageworthy Portos available
Combines the massive structure and powerful fruitiness of the 2009 harvest with elegance, poise and finesse
100% foot-trodden
Will develop for decades in the bottle

about the grape +
- Tinta Amarela
  Tinta Amarela makes wines with intensely perfumed aromas of blackberry and tea, bold structure, deep color and excellent depth.
- Tinta Barroca
  Used to make Port wines, this high yielding grape has very high sugar content, which makes wines with pronounced floral character, good structure and firm, ripe tannins.
- Tinta Cão
  This grape has blackberry, game and meaty aromas, and contributes longevity and exceptional elegance to the blend of Port wines.
- Tinta Roriz
  Tinta Roriz produces deep-colored grapes of moderate acidity which make bold wines with firm tannins, excellent complexity and distinctive resin-like fragrance.
- Touriga Franca
  This grape has high tannins and is very aromatic; it lends structure and balance to Port wines. It shows intense fresh red fruit, earth and flower aromas, and is very fruity on the palate.
- Touriga Nacional
  Touriga Nacional produces wine with finesse, body and warmth that is dark, concentrated, massively tannic and aromatic. It ages to show the complex aromas typically found in mature vintage port.

“Traditional foot treading provides a clear quality edge, providing just the right level of extraction. Our policy of co-fermenting the traditional grape varieties is also key to producing balanced and complex wines.”

– David Guimaraens, Winemaker