Winemaking:Vintage Ports are only made in years of exceptionally high quality harvests, which on average occur two or three times in a decade. The weather in the vineyards is the principal determining factor: conditions must be ideal throughout the growing season, as well as during the subsequent harvest. Graham’s style is also the result of the premium quality of the five principle vineyards that go into the Vintage blend. Being amongst the best properties in the Douro these are what make Graham’s Vintage Ports stand out at the most respected international tasting competitions.
Grape Varieties:
Old Vines
Tasting Notes:
This wine is deep and complex, incredible intensity. Purple-black to the rim, this wine shows delicate aromas of violets blue, black tea from China, and ripe red fruit. In the mouth, initially offers powerful fruit and vigorous, which merges into flavors of black Chocolte bitter. Reveals good acidity, balanced tannins and ripe, but not dry. The aftertaste is clean and perfectly defined. it's going to age well, evolving into a very balanced and elegant wine in the coming decades.
Store and Serve Advices:
Store the bottle horizontally in a dark place with constant temperature, ideally between 12ºC and 15ºC.
Food Pairing:
This Port is a fabulous way to end a lunch or dinner. It pairs wonderfully with chocolate desserts, such as chocolate mousse, but it can also be enjoyed on its own, providing a memorable moment in the company of good friends.
Reviews and Awards:
. 97 points in Robert Parker;
. 97 points in Roy Hersh;
. 96 points in Wine Spectator Magazine;
. 96 points in James Suckling;
. 96 points in Stephen Tanzer;
. 96 points in Wine Enthusiast Magazine;
. 94 points in CellarTracker;
. 94 points in Wine & Spirits Magazine;
. 19 points in Jancis Robinson;
. 19 points in Decanter Magazine;
. Peter Symington, responsible with his son Charles for the vineyards and wine making, has been made ‘Fortified Wine Maker of the Year’ an extraordinary 6 times by the ‘Wine Challenge’. Nobody else has won this important award more than once. In 2003, his son Charles won the same award.
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2016-07-01
97 points - Magnum Grahams Vintage Port 2011
The 2011 Graham’s comes from the five quintas that have been the source for many years (Malvedos, Tua, Vila Velha, das Lages and Vale de Malhadas). It represents a selection of the 131 pipes from a total production of 1,454 and is a blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, 31% Touriga Franca, 6% Sousao and 23% mixture of very old vines. It has a more “serious” bouquet compared to the Dow, with beguiling scents of blackberry, wild hedgerow, tobacco and cloves. Straight-laced, very well-defined and compelling, the palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and supremely well-judged acidity. It is utterly harmonious, with a pure core of ripe black cherries, damson, marmalade, clove and spices, and the finish lingers long in the mouth. The separation of “The Stone Terraces” vines certainly does not appear to have detracted from a great Graham’s. 5,000 cases declared.