In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Stilton and walnuts
Classic Vintage Port and blue cheese: the salty crystalline cheese is cut by the wine's sweet black-fruit core. -
Dark 70 percent chocolate torte
Bitter cocoa meets the wine's cassis and liquorice for a rich after-dinner match. -
Roast venison
Find roast venison on TableJourney →
The firm tannins frame gamey meat the way the wine ages around its fruit.
How to serve Taylor's Vintage Port
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Port glass or small Bordeaux glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Stilton and walnuts, Dark 70 percent chocolate torte, Roast venison. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Taylor's has declared Vintage Port from its Douro quintas (notably Vargellas) since the 17th century, building a reputation for the firmest, longest-lived classic style.
- 1744 — Earliest Taylor's records of Port shipping
- 1893 — Quinta de Vargellas acquired, becoming the backbone of the Vintage
Facts
- Producer
- Taylor's Port
- Grapes
- Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao
- Classification
- DOC Porto
- Oak
- Aged around two years in seasoned oak vats before bottling, then matures in bottle
- ABV
- 20.5%
- Price
- EUR 80 to 160 at release
- Drinking window
- 20 to 50 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1692
Scores
- Wine Advocate 98 (2016 vintage, reviewed 2018)
- Wine Spectator 96 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2019)
Frequently asked about Taylor's Vintage Port
What does Taylor's Vintage Port taste like?
Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. Taylor's declared Vintage is the firm, structured benchmark of the style: dense black-fruit concentration over grippy tannins built for decades in bottle.
When should I drink Taylor's Vintage Port?
Drink 20 to 50 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Taylor's Vintage Port?
Stilton and walnuts is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Dark 70 percent chocolate torte and Roast venison. Classic Vintage Port and blue cheese: the salty crystalline cheese is cut by the wine's sweet black-fruit core.
What grapes are in Taylor's Vintage Port?
The blend is Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao. The wine is classified as DOC Porto.