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For a declaration to be made, the Vintage Port blend must be of outstanding quality: austere in its youth, with tremendous depth of flavour and massive structure, capable of evolving over years or decades into that quintessence of great Port, a mature Taylor’s Vintage
Grapes from the best vineyards and unrivalled attention to detail in the cellar means Taylor’s Vintage Port consistently sets the benchmark for others to follow
Declaring a vintage: One of the most crucial decisions at Taylor’s
It's little wonder that Taylor’s, with a history stretching back more than three centuries, is now regarded as the benchmark for Vintage Port. Established in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest Port houses and has forged a reputation for balancing elegance and poise with restrained power and longevity in its vintages.
That balance begins in the vineyards. The house’s vintage bottles are blended from the finest wines made on its own estates or ‘quintas’: Vargellas, Terra Feita, Junco, Eira Velha and Casa Nova.
Each quinta brings its distinctive characteristics to the blend, reflecting their locations spread throughout the Douro valley. Vargellas contributes structure, elegance and complexity, while Terra Feita adds body, depth and powerful, concentrated fruit. Junco enhances and reinforces the inner strength and sturdiness that forms the backbone of the house style, with Eira Velha’s thick, silky tannins giving body and distinctive texture, alongside its renowned depth and complexity of flavour.
While each estate is a star, Casa Nova holds a special place in the Taylor’s constellation. The historic estate was part of the first demarcation in 1756, when the foundations were laid for recognising the finest sites to grow grapes, with its mid-slope position offering protection during the hottest years.
The attention to detail evident in the fields continues inside the wineries. After each harvest, a tasting panel selects the finest Port wines from each estate, which are then aged for two winters in large oak vats.
In its second spring, each vat is tasted again. If they are judged to meet the exceptional quality required to become a Vintage Port, the wines from each estate are blended.
‘A Taylor’s Vintage Port is only made in truly exceptional years,’ explains head winemaker David Guimaraens; ‘Although it can be enjoyed at any stage, it is one of the very few wines in the world capable of ageing and improving over many decades.
‘For this reason, the period of maturation and integration, until after the second winter after the harvest, is essential before making a decision that will define the reputation of the house for generations. Declaring a vintage is therefore one of the most important decisions we ever take at Taylor’s,’ Guimaraens stresses.
Published December 2025
David Guimaraens, Taylor's Head Winemaker
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Decades of attentive care
Vintages are only declared in the finest years. Guimaraens and his team must be confident that each vintage they unveil will sit proudly alongside the other outstanding bottles in Taylor’s pantheon.
‘For a declaration to be made, the Vintage Port blend must be of outstanding quality: austere in its youth, with tremendous depth of flavour and massive structure, capable of evolving over years or decades into that quintessence of great Port, a mature Taylor’s Vintage,’ says Guimaraens; ‘This measured and patient approach reflects the values that have guided Taylor’s for over three centuries: respect for time, dedication to quality and an unwavering commitment to the quality and tradition of Vintage Port.’
Only declaring vintages in truly exceptional years creates scarcity, making Vintage Port a notable investment for collectors. Its structure means a vintage can spend decades developing in connoisseurs’ cellars, enhancing its attraction.
‘Taylor’s Vintage Ports are renowned for their massive structure and aromatic power, tempered by a characteristic understatement and restraint,’ adds managing director Adrian Bridge; ‘The ultimate collector’s Port wines, Vintage Ports will age for decades in the cellar, slowly developing the elegance and harmony which are the hallmarks of a mature Taylor’s Vintage Port.’
‘The ultimate collector’s Port’
David Guimaraens, Taylor's head winemaker
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