1987 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port

Tom Archer · Post by **Tom Archer** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:32 am

A well cellared bottle with slug chewed label. Clearly a late release, as the bottle boasted it's 2000 medal award.

Decanted a few minutes ago - very dark, plentiful sediment.

Fair amount of bottle stink - bit of a beast by the looks of it.

First sip -

- rough, assertive, young. First impression is a wine that will be good for the long haul, and probably not at it's peak for at least another ten years.

Hopefully a few hours in decanter will serve to tame this one..

More anon..

Tom

Tom Archer · Post by **Tom Archer** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:24 pm

Four hours on - a modest glass

Bottle stink gone - bouquet of berry fruits, pleasant, but not very prominant.

Very intense for an undeclared year, but '87 was only passed over on account of the run of vintages prior, and economic meltdown in the key markets at declaration time.

This is young still - really a bit too young. The body and intensity reminds me a little of the '70 vintage. There's loads of mileage left here.

I feel this decanter is going to blossom tomorrow (hopefully!)

- will report!

Tom

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:43 pm

I have had 8 bottles of this specific Port since mid-2005. I don't always write up notes for them but my love for this particular bottling is no suprise. 8-10 hours is plenty of time as I see no reason to decant this for more than that. Regardless, it certainly will drink beautifully a day or even two days after opening. This is an overlooked and gorgeous Vintage Port. The balance in this youngster is impressive as is the complexity and fabulous finish. Truly one of the greatest single quinta vintage Ports produced in the last 50 years, in my opinion of course.

Blind tasting friends who don't even love Port has provided me with enjoyment when they usually are converted by this particular SQVP.

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:39 am

Tom/Roy,

I bought some of this recently (as did a few others on this forum

) and from your description, Tom, it appears to be the same late release batch as you have as my bottles have a 2000 gold medal also.

From your experience, would you recommend that the bottles I have be sent off to sleep in a quite storage facility for a few years ? If so, when do you think the optimum drinking window will be?

Derek

Tom Archer · Post by **Tom Archer** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:12 am

23 hours on.

Well composed now, although just a little tart. Classic Taylor bouquet and great depth of colour.

But it is still too young, too youthful - it will be much better in another ten years.

Time for a score.

For immediate gratification it is well up the scale, but too young and sharp still to quite make the top quartile, so I give it a 7.

Where's it going? I think this is going to improve significantly over the next decade or so, and will probably hold it's own for a long time after that. It might get to a ten, but I am more confident of 9.

So my score is:

7-9

Derek - I'd cellar those bottles..!

Note to me: re-visit in 2011

Tom

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:16 am

Derek,

I am in total agreement with Tom that this will improve beautifully for at least another decade. However, I urge you to pop one of your bottles now and see what a beauty this is today. I find no angular edges or reason why this can't be enjoyed right now at 19 years old. The balance is something to behold. Like the 1985 Fonseca, this is a VP one can never have enough of.

Al B. · Post by **Al B.** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:36 pm

Having tasted one of the bottles I have - vicariously through Tom's notes - my half case is going to be packed off to Octavian some time in the near future.

I'll get it back again in time for its 25th birthday.

Alex

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:58 pm

Alex,

If I were you, I'd twist Derek's arm to open a bottle for you both during one of the upcoming holiday celebrations.