Late Bottled VintageLate Bottled Vintage 2018

Taylor Fladgate continues to lead the LBV category of Port worldwide, in spite of the fact that many other shippers now also produce an LBV. The wines used to blend Taylor Fladgate LBV were drawn from a reserve of some of the best full bodied red Ports, produced at the 2018 harvest, from grapes grown on Taylor Fladgate’s own vineyards and on other top properties in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior areas.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby core with vivid ruby rim. The nose is very fine and multi-layered, underpinned by rich strawberry jam aromas and lifted by resiny herbal
notes, fresh scents of cedarwood and hints of bracken and woodland floor. There is also a discreetly sensuous dimension, a luxurious redolence of leather and mocha coffee. In contrast, and in keeping with the Taylor Fladgate house style, the palate has an attractive edge of austerity with taut wiry tannins providing a firm grip to the long finish which delivers a surge of rich berry fruit flavour. A beautifully refined wine, poised and complete,
displaying a complexity comparable with that of a mature classic vintage port. A beautiful expression of the 2018 vintage with its accent on elegance and finesse.

Notes on the Viticultural Year and Harvest

The 2018 vineyard cycle was unusual and had a marked effect on the character of the wine. The previous year had been very dry and hot and by 15th January nearly two thirds of the country was suffering from drought, the Douro Valley being one of the worst affected areas. Luckily, heavy rainfall in March replenished ground water reserves. The growing season from March until the end of June was relatively cold and wet, bringing mildew in some areas. Devastating hailstorms on 28th May caused extensive damage to vineyards in the Pinhão area, including Taylor Fladgate’s Quinta do Junco. The development of the vines was about three weeks behind that of 2017, flowering occurring in late May and véraison in the last week of July. Dry, warm conditions prevailed throughout July followed by a wave of very intense heat in August. On 3rd August, the weather station at Taylor Fladgate’s Quinta de Vargellas recorded a temperature of just over 44°C. The extreme heat allowed the vines to make up some lost time and the abundant groundwater accumulated earlier in the year meant that, in spite of the hot conditions, ripening of the crop was gradual and balanced. Picking at Quinta de Vargellas began on 17th September in hot, dry weather which continued for the duration of the harvest. Yields were very low and winemakers’ notes report that the new wines displayed elegance, freshness of fruit, good acidity and intense colour.