SentinelsTaylor Fladgate Sentinels Vintage Port 2022
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
The dormancy period between November and February was extremely dry, with only 78mm of rainfall recorded. The average for this period is much more in the order of 370 mm. Fortunately, March was wet with 75mm of rain which was very important for the growing season to start with some water. Bud burst occurred on the 20th March which is later than normal and Spring was dry. When flowering started on the 19th May, we continued to register very low levels of water – 195mm to be exact from the previous November to the 31st May. Because of the dry conditions, we had very little pressure from disease, which meant that the key focus in the vineyards was dedicated to working the canopies. At the beginning of June we entered a phase of the first of many heatwaves with temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius recorded - this is very unusual for June. On the 14th July in Pinhão we recorded a temperature of 46.5c, the highest temperature recorded in the country in 2022. As a result of the extreme temperatures, veraison only occurred in the last week of July. Harvest started on the 5th September at Junco, 7th September at Casa Nova, 8th September at Eira Velha and 9th September at Terra Feita, with the vines producing very small berries, which gave them a good juice to skin ratio. On the 6th September we had a very welcome 4mm of rainfall which kept the temperatures down and gave some very welcome relief to the vines and did a great job in giving the grapes that all important final push.2022 will be remembered for the year that we were able to foot tread again, after two years interruption due to COVID. Seeing the lagares full of people again and knowing that this is the way great vintage ports are made, was a sight to behold.•
DECANTING
Vintage Port forms a natural deposit in the bottle and should be decanted. Stand the bottle upright a few hours before decanting to allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle.
STORAGE
Continues to improve for decades after bottling. The bottle should be kept lain down in a cool place, ideally at a temperature below 16ºC.
SERVING TEMPERATURE
Serve at 16ºC to 18ºC. Vintage Port is best drunk one to two days after opening.
PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
Walnuts, blue veined and other richly flavoured cheeses are excellent accompaniments to Vintage Port; so too are dried fruits such as apricots or figs. Alternatively, simply savour the rich and complex flavours of the wine on their own in a generously proportioned glass with good company.
TASTING NOTES
Deep purple black core with a narrow purple rim. An explosion of powerful woodland fruit, overlaid with a rich layer of blackcurrant, dark plum and cherries that jump out of the glass. The woodland fruit aromas are infused with subtle notes of dark cherry, hints of rockrose, a touch of mint and beautiful perfumed rose petals. The fruit is elegant and understated concealing the wines vigour and energy. On the palate the wine displays incredible freshness, purity of fruit and an attractive leanness, with a hint of lavender and herbal aromas. Laser focused berry fruits of damsons, plums and black cherries continue to build into the very long finish.
