2015 Vintage Port Release

Floral, mineral and bright, with light fresh stone-fruit on the palate and a refreshing zippy line of citrusy acidity which makes it mouthwatering and long. Very young now, it will fill out with ageFloral, mineral and bright, with light fresh stone-fruit on the palate and a refreshing zippy line of citrusy acidity which makes it mouthwatering and long. Very young now, it will fill out with age over five to six years Drinking range: 2019 - 2025L&S (Sept 2019)

Still in tank at the end of February, Tempier's 2018 Bandol Rose marks another successful vintage for this consistent standout. It's light to medium-bodied, not overly ripe or rich, but all aboutStill in tank at the end of February, Tempier's 2018 Bandol Rose marks another successful vintage for this consistent standout. It's light to medium-bodied, not overly ripe or rich, but all about balance and refreshment. Tangerine and melon aromas and flavors hit all the right notes, lingering on the already elegant finish. Drinking range: 2019 - 2021 Rating: 89-92 Joe Czerwinski, www.robertparker.com (May 2019)

This wine completely stole the show when we tasted through the range. Already impressively balanced, with plenty of substance, cherries, wild strawberries and redcurrant fruit, layered andThis wine completely stole the show when we tasted through the range. Already impressively balanced, with plenty of substance, cherries, wild strawberries and redcurrant fruit, layered and mouthfilling with a lovely juicy acidity giving length and freshness to this Provencal stunner. Drinking range: 2019 - 2020L&S (Mar 2019)

Surface: 14 ha Yield: 45 hl/ha Grape varieties: 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre Age of the vines: 20 years Soil: very varied: sandy or sandy-clayey, with smallSurface: 14 ha Yield: 45 hl/ha Grape varieties: 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre Age of the vines: 20 years Soil: very varied: sandy or sandy-clayey, with small calcareous gravel Vinification: 100% destemming, 15 to 20 days maceration at a maximum temperature of 30°C Harvest: by hand Bottled at the Domaine Tasting Colour: deep red Aromas: very fruity (blackcurrant, red fruits and violet) Palate: freshness, fine tannins, nice long finish Goes with: cold meats, grilled meats, cooked meats and soft cheeses Serving temperature: 16 to 18°C Keeping: 4 to 5 years.Winemaker's notes (Aug 2017)

As Layne Montgomery says - 'This is my Monster Red Blend. It’s Syrah, Carignane, Tempranillo, a bit of Zin and Petite.' This is a beautifully crafted brute from California - just inland from FriscoAs Layne Montgomery says - 'This is my Monster Red Blend. It’s Syrah, Carignane, Tempranillo, a bit of Zin and Petite.' This is a beautifully crafted brute from California - just inland from Frisco Bay - a bold blend that has no hard edges but lots of rich, dark fruited impact and a swathe of dark chocolate and spice. One to pull the cork on when you fire up the grill! Summer fun in the garden.L&S (Aug 2018)

Probably our favourite in this run of Symington Family ports. Do not be nervous that this is a like the Fonseca this is a totally justified release and really rather joyous. Finer lines here - sleekProbably our favourite in this run of Symington Family ports. Do not be nervous that this is a like the Fonseca this is a totally justified release and really rather joyous. Finer lines here - sleek even - but with super fruit and lovely weight of well ripened dark mass blackberries and a citrus lift - adding a defining line, great drive and flows through to a lovely, warm but satisfying finish. Very good.L&S (Aug 2017)

First up in our tasting and a real pleasure. Fascinating nose, lovely red fruit, perky plum and some pithy orange notes then spice too. In the mouth there's an explosion of joyous rich round fruit.First up in our tasting and a real pleasure. Fascinating nose, lovely red fruit, perky plum and some pithy orange notes then spice too. In the mouth there's an explosion of joyous rich round fruit. Dark ripe and yet still pinned in, retaining elegance and some good flow. Fun and easy style, happy drinking.L&S (Aug 2017)

The house of Fonseca began trading in 1815 - and to celebrate the 200th anniversary, the firm has made a limited release of this Guimaraens 2015 Port. We feared before tasting that perhaps this hadThe house of Fonseca began trading in 1815 - and to celebrate the 200th anniversary, the firm has made a limited release of this Guimaraens 2015 Port. We feared before tasting that perhaps this had been done for the wrong reasons - purely to mark the date - but thankfully this is a super Single Quinta offering that is a very worthwhile release in its own right! A good deep chewiness to the beautifully stewed dark fruit is punctuated with lovely dollops of sweet, soft brown licorice. There's some cocoa powder too and then more of the lovely dry plummy fruit in the middle, a crushed sultana, paste-like feel. Intense and sweetly satisfying fruit that us deep, rich and joyous - with ripe form structure which should give this some potential to age well.L&S (May 2017)

Impressive stuff - this is powerful. Lovely svelte nose dark fruit and crunchy plum skin lead to a broad, but not fat middle. Savoury too - there's leather, some chocolate - good raisiny pulp andImpressive stuff - this is powerful. Lovely svelte nose dark fruit and crunchy plum skin lead to a broad, but not fat middle. Savoury too - there's leather, some chocolate - good raisiny pulp and some lovely soft dark berry juice. Serious, more four-square and broad-shouldered than the others - but is it as charming? Certainly a wow - but perhas less joyous at this price level than others?L&S (Aug 2017)

Bioma is Dirk's single vineyard, organic Port from his own vines in Pisca. Independently minded as ever, Dirk ages the Bioma in 'pipes' up in the Douro - rather than in larger wooden casks down-riverBioma is Dirk's single vineyard, organic Port from his own vines in Pisca. Independently minded as ever, Dirk ages the Bioma in 'pipes' up in the Douro - rather than in larger wooden casks down-river in the cooler warehouses in Vila Nova de Gaia as he does with his regular Vintage Port. This he says does allow more oxidation, but it also gives the wine more stability for the long haul The Bioma also spends another 8 months compared to the Vintage - and it needs it. The intensity here is immense. Deep, rich, dark fruit gives a lovely wallop of mashed black cherries, violets, a spicy - almost marzipan note of kirsch too. This is savoury too - -wow. It's like the Vintage but with the volume up - Loud! Brooding, powerful and long - this will take a moment, but will be immensely satisfying in a few years' time. Vinha Velha simply means 'old vines'. Dirk Niepoort describes this as 'a single-vineyard Vintage Port' rather than a single Quinta. L&S (Jun 2017)

A sort of hybrid blend of the 2005 and the 2011 vintages. A beautiful weight of perfectly ripened, dark berry-fruit and then a high-toned elegant lightness of feel. Already this seems brightly A sort of hybrid blend of the 2005 and the 2011 vintages. A beautiful weight of perfectly ripened, dark berry-fruit and then a high-toned elegant lightness of feel. Already this seems brightly vinous and has great line and length. This is clever stuff for a young vintage port. Dirk's friend and rival David Guimaerens called the Niepoort 2015 'a perfect wine' when he tasted it and it is hard to argue against. Balanced, spicy and that lovely weight of fruit. I am looking forward to tasting this again in 10 years or so.L&S (Jun 2017)

This historic estate (celebrating 260 years of farming this year) is also run by Christian Seely of Noval fame. The quality here is immense from these beautiful old vineyards. Perhaps not the biggestThis historic estate (celebrating 260 years of farming this year) is also run by Christian Seely of Noval fame. The quality here is immense from these beautiful old vineyards. Perhaps not the biggest name in the Douro, but the estate's long history and the current team's prowess mean this should not be overlooked. From two very old plots this is inviting, luxuriant and poised, full of warm dark fruit and a herbal, mineral twang. Smart stuff, Christian believes this is the best vintage port they have made here.L&S (Jun 2017)

A bit like Dirk Niepoort - Christian Seely who runs Noval, is happy to play by his own rules and he too has declared 2015. Noval is a different proposition to the other Shippers in the Douro - asA bit like Dirk Niepoort - Christian Seely who runs Noval, is happy to play by his own rules and he too has declared 2015. Noval is a different proposition to the other Shippers in the Douro - as they source all their fruit from their own vines all situated around their farm up above Pinhao in the highly prized Cima Corgo sub-region. So with careful selection - just 9% of the 2015 fruit was deemed worthy of inclusion in the final bottling - Christian often feels he can make extraordinary high quality port that truly reflects the house style. This is in short supply but is a beautifully constructed Vintage Port. Concentrated and wonderfully intense - this is a 2015 that should age sublimely.L&S (Jun 2017)

Delicious nose here, lovely dark berries, some damson, some raspberry too. Hits the palate with a delicious glossy, rich weight - ripe and intense. Then - it quickly spreads across the palate - quiteDelicious nose here, lovely dark berries, some damson, some raspberry too. Hits the palate with a delicious glossy, rich weight - ripe and intense. Then - it quickly spreads across the palate - quite well defined already. Long, some spirity heat - but this is pretty slick and really rather good.L&S (Aug 2017)

Tasted in the line-up of the three Taylor-Fladgate 2015 Vintage Ports, the Taylor was our stand out favourite. It sort of melds the finer bits from both the Croft and the Fonseca. The elegance andTasted in the line-up of the three Taylor-Fladgate 2015 Vintage Ports, the Taylor was our stand out favourite. It sort of melds the finer bits from both the Croft and the Fonseca. The elegance and lightness of the Croft with beautifully spiced - more floral notes and then some good stuffing here reminding us of the Guimaraens with dark chocolate and deep, roasted damson fruit. Somehow the most sophisticated of the trio Taylor manages to give lovely power - but a refined silky delivery - it is intense but a tad brighter, the long seductive finish leaves you wanting more - this should be fun and one for the cellar.L&S (Jun 2017)