3 | Wine | Porto | Page 5

"Primary yet detailed nose offers crushed blackberry, black cherry, licorice, bitter chocolate, minerals and flowers. Pure, elegant and precise in the mouth, with terrific energy and thrust to the flavors of crushed black fruits and spices. Perhaps best today on the sharply focused, gripping, palate-staining finish, which shows a captivating gingerbread spiciness. This can be tasted now thanks to its intensity and sheer personality but is built to age." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Fantastic aromas of blackberries and tar. Lightly stemmy, which is the sign of a great young Vintage Port. Full-bodied, with wonderfully integrated tannins and a lasting finish. Lots of plums and raspberries. The new 1927?"

"Red fruit such as cherry, raspberry and redcurrant. In the mouth it is full bodied and dense with clear tannins with some fruity nuances evocative of plum and black fruit jam."

"Saturated ruby. Primary aromas of cassis, black cherry, black licorice and chocolate, with a whiff of spirits. Very sweet and rich, with aggressive flavors of crystallized cassis and dark chocolate. A big, unrefined port, finishing a bit fiery, with a note of scotch."

"This young Port shows intense aromas of black licorice and berries. It's full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a long, long finish. Seductive. Fantastic young Port from Churchill. Best ever."

"The 2003 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port improved each time I raised it to my nose or mouth. It displays a black color and a salty, graphite-laced nose packed with sweet black fruits that is reminiscent of a stellar vintage of Chateau Latour. With air, notes of molasses, burnt sugar, spices, and jammy plums emanate from the glass. Full-bodied, hugely dense, immensely rich, as well as thick, this behemoth is also amazingly balanced and harmonious. Raisins, molasses, licorice, black cherries, plums, and a distinctive note of violets are found in its complex, seamless character. Its interminable finish reveals additional notes of chocolate, kirsch, red as well as black currants, dark cherries, and rose blossoms. Armed with exceptional power, depth, and purity, this Taylor will proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest ever crafted by the Fladgate Partnership."