{"product_id":"taylors-vintage-port-2018","title":"Taylor'S Vintage Port 2018","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinery Background and History\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTaylor Fladgate (Taylor, Fladgate \u0026amp; Yeatman) is a prestigious Port house founded in 1692 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Over centuries it has built reputational strength via vineyard holdings in the Douro and an extensive cellaring tradition. The house is known for its flagship Vintage Ports (declared only in exceptional years), aged tawnies, and other styles, blending tradition, consistency and elegance in its portfolio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProducer and Wine Maker\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe wine is produced by Taylor Fladgate under the direction of its blending and cellar team, led by Winemaker David Guimaraens. The team selects grape lots from their estate vineyards (notably Quinta de Vargellas, Quinta de Terra Feita, and Quinta do Junco) and ferments, fortifies, and ages them under strict quality protocols. The final blending reflects house style: fruit purity, structure, and capacity for long aging.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVineyards and Micro Climate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 2018 blend sources heavily from Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro Superior, along with parcels from Quinta de Terra Feita and Quinta do Junco.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The Douro Valley experiences a continental climate: hot, dry summers and cool nights, which support fruit concentration while maintaining acidity. Schist soils and steep terracing force vine roots deep, enhancing complexity and minerality in the grapes. The microclimate influences—especially diurnal temperature swings—help preserve aromatic freshness even in fortified wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVinification \u0026amp; Aging Methods\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFermentation is carried out until a portion of the grape sugars remain, then fermentation is halted by fortification with grape spirit (brandy). The wine is then aged for \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 years in conditioned French oak vats\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e (large casks) before bottling unfiltered.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e After bottling it continues maturation in bottle for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOn the nose: a dense bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, violet, hints of mocha, white pepper, tar, and elegant floral notes.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The palate is harmonious, firm and structured: ripe black fruits, pronounced but refined tannins, fresh acidity, layers of dark chocolate and spice, finishing with persistence, elegance and a fine grip.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood \u0026amp; Wine Pairing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eClassic pairings include blue cheese (Stilton, Roquefort), dark chocolate, berry compotes, figs, walnuts, or pâtés. Also excellent with desserts like dark chocolate torte, black forest cake, or as an after-dinner sipper on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eService Methods and Temperatures\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eServe at \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e16-18 °C\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e (≈ 61-64 °F). Decant carefully (gently) to leave sediment behind, preferably after standing bottle upright for a few hours. Use a large wine or port glass. After opening, consume over one or two days to capture the wine at its expressive peak.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStorage and Aging Potential\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is a long-living wine. Under proper cellar conditions (cool ~12-14 °C, stable humidity, minimal light), it can evolve beautifully over \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e30–50+ years\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Its structure, acidity and fruit promise decades of development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape Varietals \u0026amp; percentage used\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eBlend includes \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eTouriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003e, among others.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eABV (Alcohol by Volume)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e20.00 % (typical for Vintage Port)\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScores\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: 98 pts (Roger Voss)\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVinous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: 97 pts\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWine Spectator\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e: 96 pts\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJames Suckling\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: ~93 pts (with aromatic comments) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jebsen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47922273321174,"sku":null,"price":705.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/5465\/4934\/files\/Taylor_SVintagePort2018.png?v=1773668069","url":"https:\/\/www.pinotera.com\/products\/taylors-vintage-port-2018","provider":"Pinotera Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}