Announcing the release, Taylor’s Managing Director, Adrian Bridge, said: ‘The 2015 harvest has produced an excellent Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port, showing all the balance and elegance that are the hallmarks of the property. Although the 2015’s are already expressive and appealing on the nose, they also have the structure and completeness to allow them to hold up extremely well in bottle.’

Taylor’s wine maker, David Guimaraens, commented: ‘The condition of the crop was exceptionally healthy throughout the 2015 harvest, although the dry year meant that yields were relatively low. One of the characteristics of the 2015’s is that they are relatively approachable but conceal very robust, well integrated tannins.’

The 2015 presents a classic Vargellas nose, fine, elegant and poised with a linear surge of pure singing, woodland infused with a plummy freshness and hints of citrus and fresh quince. A discreet minerality provides an attractively firm edge. Typically of Vargellas, the palate is supported by taut, sinewy tannins and the grippy finish delivers a burst of clean, fresh berry fruit flavour. A very fine single-quinta Vintage Port, confident and in perfect balance.

Located in the remote eastern reaches of the Douro Valley, the outsanding Vargellas estate is recognised as one of the world’s finest vineyards, and is known for its elegant, scented wines, with their fine focused fruit and well integrated sinewy tannins.