Below are my top picks of the 2016s to seek out now and put away as a delicious investment.
2016 Port Wine Bottle-Buying Guide
Warre’s ($98) Zingy and racy, this doesn’t have the same intensity as others on this list. Instead, expect a beautiful elegance and balance, with violet aromas and a long, long finish.
Taylor Fladgate ($120) A floral scent of violets belies the tremendously ripe fruit flavors and powerful structure. It’s heady and smooth but definitely needs considerable aging before it will be appealing to drink.
Fonseca ($120) What hits you first are the wonderful aromas of fresh, ripe blackberries and mint. The flavors are fresh and the fruit notes subtle, with hints of spice and a texture velvety enough to sink into.
Dow’s ($150) Very dry, dark, and brooding, it has opulence, a powerful structure, and flavors of black plums, with a savory, mineral character. The blend contains 80 percent Touriga Franca.
Graham’s ($150) About 25 percent of the blend comes from an old vineyard planted in 1900. It has a sumptuous, opulent style, with very concentrated fruit flavors and lots of chocolate-y richness. It’s a hugely appealing quaff right now.
Quinta do Noval Nacional (Price TBA) This comes from a tiny plot in Quinta do Noval’s vineyard, and only 170 cases were made. Expect it to be pricey: above $600 a bottle. Deep and intense, it boasts lavender scents and a taste of raspberries and needs at least a decade of aging. (The 1963, which I sampled a few years ago, is one of the greatest wines I’ve ever tasted.)
Quinta do Noval (Price TBA) While less powerful and deep than the ultra-rare Nacional, it’s still rich, thick, and layered and will be much more available at a cost of about one-sixth the price. A luscious mineral and savory quality adds to its complexity.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.