Taylor’s, Fonseca & Croft have all announced their decision to declare the 2017 vintage, this follows directly after the also classic 2016 Vintage . In addition to classic Vintage Ports from the three Houses, there will also be two ‘old vines’ bottlings.

Taylor’s will release a 2017 Vargellas Vinha Velha, only the eighth bottling ever made (95, 97, 00, 04, 07, 09, 11 & 17). This rare Vintage Port is made in very small quantities from the very oldest vines on the property.

Further exciting news for wine enthusiasts is that, for the first time, Croft will release a Vintage Port from the oldest vines of the magnificent Quinta da Roêda.  “Serikos”, a reference to Roêda’s post-Phylloxera involvement in the production of silk, the wine captures the essence of this pre-eminent property’s historic vineyards.

The Fladgate Partnership’s Managing Director, Adrian Bridge, commented: “After the long interval that followed the 2011 Vintage release, we are delighted that the highly acclaimed 2016s are now followed by the superb 2017s.  All our houses and their properties have produced exceptional wines, with impressive density, depth and aromatic potential.”  He added:  “It is clear that 2017 was a stunning year for the old vineyards.  In addition to a Vargellas Vinha Velha release, we are very excited to be launching Serikos, a Vintage Port from the oldest vines of Croft’s Quinta da Roêda.”

The group’s Technical Director and Head Winemaker, David Guimaraens, commented:  “We will remember 2017 for the very dry conditions throughout the growing and ripening seasons and the very early harvest.  August was not excessively hot and, although the wines were concentrated by the dry conditions and low yields, they were also beautifully balanced.  The start of the harvest was the earliest in a generation.  The last time picking started this early was in the legendary vintage of 1945.”   Commenting on the wines, he noted: “The thick skinned, perfectly ripened grapes have produced dense, firmly structured wines, with impressive depth and reserves of aroma.  Many of the wines display an attractive minerality which brings a touch of elegance and restraint to the powerful fruit.”