2023

Taylor Fladgate Port is proud to announce the release of its new Taylor Fladgate Sentinels Vintage Port, a unique blend crafted from wines produced on Taylor Fladgate’s historic properties in and around the Pinhão Valley. This central region of the Douro Valley is one of the most historically significant areas for Port wine, recognized as the source of the finest Ports since the inception of the Port trade.

The four estates—Terra Feita, Junco, Casa Nova, and Eira Velha—are all located within the original 1756 demarcation and were awarded feitoria status, the highest classification for Port vineyards. The name Sentinels is inspired by the granite pillars, known as “marcos de feitoria”, which stand guard along the demarcation line that separates the highest quality Port areas, and this is where many of the Taylor Fladgate’s estates are situated. A total of 335 stone posts were placed between 1758 and 1761 to mark this prestigious area.

Each of these historic properties offers distinct characteristics in terms of altitude, orientation, sun, wind exposure, and mix of grape varietals. Despite their individuality, they share a distinctive 'Pinhão Valley' style—rich, deep, and powerfully fruity—that ensures a harmonious blend while each contributes uniquely to the wine's overall complexity and aroma.

NOTES ON THE 2022 VITICULTURAL YEAR AND HARVEST

2023 was welcomingly wet following a very dry cycle in previous years. 2022 was one of the direst years in recent history with only 354 mm’s of rain recorded in the growing season. In the winter of 2023, we had 484 mm’s of rain which was fundamental in replenishing our much needed ground reserves.

Budburst started on the 18th March, three days later than our 21 year average which is the 15th March. The month was followed by a very hot, dry April that very much characterized the beginning of our season. The growth of the vines flourished with the warmth of the hot spring and we saw the season two weeks ahead of the usual.

Flowering occurred on the 1st May in all the lower altitude vineyards of the Douro. Following the wet winter and the warm spring we had a vital rejuvenation of the vineyards following the very hot and dry 2022 season.

We had a wet period between the 22nd May and 10th June where we had 96mm’s of rain in Pinhão with a lot of threat of mildew which kept the team on its toes in taking care of the vineyards. During this period, we had 13 days of yellow warnings for hail storms, which did occur in different parts of the region, but fortunately these were localized to a few small areas. However challenging the outbreak of mildew was, the rainfall was very welcome to maintain the water reserves.

Veraison was registered in Pinhão on the 7th July which was 4 days later than in 2017 which was an equally advanced season. July itself had a mean temperature of 24.5c which is considered to be average. But, contrary to the usual, this year August was extremely hot where we had an average temperature of 26.2c which was particularly felt towards the end of August, when on the 21st and 22nd we recorded two days above 45c, which had a tremendous impact across the vineyards. In the lower lying vineyards, there was a lot of sunburn, but in the less exposed medium altitude vineyards this heat was very welcoming for the advance of the ripening of the grapes.

Picking in the region started in the middle of August with white grapes, but for our red grapes we waited until the 4th of September, as on the 3rd September we had 13mm of rainfall in Pinhão that gave a last touch to the final ripening of the grapes, which led to grapes being picked under good conditions.

However, another factor that marked this harvest was a second period of rain on the 10th September where in Pinhão 26mm fell, with quite a lot of intensity. This created a pause in the harvest but then the weather cleared up and gave way to another week of good quality grapes coming in. That was until we had the third incident of rain when on the 16th September, 60mm of rain fell which really dictated the change of the harvest and from that point forward it then became a race against time to bring our remaining grapes into our wineries and close out the vintage.

Deep intense purple black core with a fine violet rim. The nose is built on a sturdy foundation of luscious, rich blackcurrant, blackberry and cherry aromas, intertwined with damsons and apricot. Notes of gum cistus and mint dance on the nose giving vibrancy and freshness. Extraordinary quality of ripe fruit, mouth-filling tannins and sumptuous blackberry with a whisp of dark chocolate. A pleasant touch of cedar, a hint of licorice and a silky long finish. This wine displays the hedonistic, generous quality of Taylor Fladgate’s Pinhão Valley estates.