Wine Reviews
Fresh and vibrant, with expressive notes of violet, anise and boysenberry compote leading the way, backed by hints of singed cocoa and alder through the finish. Filled in, but of a slightly lighter frame and build than most of its brethren this vintage, putting this on an earlier maturing arc.
Singed black sesame, hazelnut, buckwheat, dried blood orange and walnut husk notes merge, starting dry but unfolding steadily to offer succulence and underlying sweetness as date, peanut brittle and salted caramel accents fill in through the finish. A fully mature wine, with ample energy and persistence, which makes this pretty special.
The 2024 Vintage Port from Taylor’s is the first Declaration for six years and the smallest release (5,000 cases). It has an impressive, intense nose with layers of blackberry, blueberry, inkwell and black plum, very complex and beautifully refined. The palate is medium-bodied with a striking, black pepper-infused entry, a killer line of acidity, delivering this Port House’s trademark structure and grip. It gains depth towards the finish and the tongue tingles long after it has departed. This is a Vintage Port destined to give decades of drinking pleasure.
The 2024 Sentinels Vintage Port represents the third release. It comes from different quintas to those that constitute the regular Taylor’s, namely Quinta da Casa Nova and Quinta da Eira Velha. It has an intriguing bouquet that takes time to cohere, eventually revealing quite enticing black plum, allspice, clove and subtle marine scents that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is very ripe and forward, one of the most decadent of the Vintage Ports, but I cannot help feeling that it just tips over into raisin/prune-like notes that render the finish a bit heady. Let’s see how it ages in bottle.
Aromas of schist, violets and ripe blackberries, with an absorbing nose layered in dark fruit. The palate is structured, with grainy but long and integrated tannins, yet remains vibrant and energetic with a clear thread of black fruit. There is a youthful yet discreet lift, both aromatically and on the palate, that makes it immediately appealing, yet it has the structure and depth to reward patience. Drink now.
