Classification | Cru Classe |
Type | Fortified |
Brand | Taylor |
Vintage | 2022 |
Country | Portugal |
Region | Douro |
Grape | Port Blend |
Volume | 0,75 |
Condition | Perfect |
Label | Perfect |
Drinkable | 2030-2050 |
Stock | 16 |
The 2022 Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port is expressive and perfumed, with floral notes intermixed with the classical crystallized fruit, herbs, spices, licorice and dark chocolate aromas. It was produced with a field blend from their Quinta de Vargellas estate, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in used French oak vats for 18 months. It has medium sweetness, with 98 grams of sugar, medium structure, abundant fine-grained tannins and a supple flavor with ripe fruit reminiscences. It's a little warm and in need of some time in bottle to achieve better harmony. 33,600 bottles produced. It was bottled in 2024. It opens up nicely in the glass.
As all the Fladgate ports, foot-trodden and aged two years in very big oak vats (20,000 litres). Vargellas is in the most remote eastern reaches of the Douro Superior.
Black core with narrow purple rim. Smells richer and darker-fruited than the Sentinels with a light impression of charred wood. Ripe blueberries and blackberries and a touch of stone dust adding refinement. Firmly structured, dry, with extreme tannic finesse. Lighter than I expected in terms of weight but this makes it more elegant. Long, fresh and finely textured on the finish. Real fruit purity from start to finish and the succulent, refined tannins are the star of the show. (JH)