For The Love Of Port

Taylor’s has announced Sentinel is being released. But oddly, no others mentioned.

Moderator's note: I've some posts about Sentinel from the Symington thread to this one so that the topics remain distinct.

The 2nd coming of Taylor's Sentinels Vintage Port was announced on Wednesday, as the 2023 VP will seemingly become a more featured Vintage Port.

This Pinhão River Valley based blend of Casa Nova, Terra Feita and Junco properties was great last year when it made it's debut with the 2022. I am looking forward to try this young pup.

Follow up from a press release received only today, the 24th.

The blend of the 2023 vintage was carefully selected using a ‘component selection’ method, ensuring that the final wine embodies the distinctive characteristics of each estate, while bringing together their diverse elements to create a harmonious and balanced wine.

Each estate contributes unique qualities from the altitude, sun exposure, and grape varieties, producing a wine that is both powerful and refined, with a deep fruitiness and a complexity that reflects the careful craftsmanship of Taylor Fladgate’s winemaking team.

David Guimaraens, Head Winemaker at Taylor Fladgate, remarked, “Following the good growing season of 2023 the rainfall that occurred in early September was both welcome for the more stressed vineyards, but also limited the number of fine parcels available to us. One of the defining factors of making vintage port, like Taylor Fladgate Sentinels, is that I can select the best parcels from the properties and blend them together to show the true expression of the Pinhão Valley’s terroir.

David also noted that, “as with the first vintage, Taylor Fladgate Sentinels Vintage Port 2023 has the potential to age gracefully in the bottle, with a long life ahead. However, it is equally approachable and enjoyable in its youth, offering wine enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the exceptional character of the Pinhão Valley from the very first taste.”

The Taylor Fladgate Sentinels Vintage Port 2023 will be available for purchase globally from selected distributors and retailers, offering collectors and wine lovers a rare opportunity to own a part of Taylor Fladgate's legacy.

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑Wed Apr 23, 2025 7:37 am Taylor’s has announced Sentinel is being released. But oddly, no others mentioned.

Yes, and it is described as a Pinhão valley blend. So what about Quinta de Vargelas? Was it a bust in 2023?

Eric Menchen wrote: ↑Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:44 am

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑Wed Apr 23, 2025 7:37 am Taylor’s has announced Sentinel is being released. But oddly, no others mentioned.

Yes, and it is described as a Pinhão valley blend. So what about Quinta de Vargelas? Was it a bust in 2023?

Edit: moved to this thread as it's more appropriate here than in the Symington thread.

Not only described as a Pinhão valley blend from Terra Feita, Junco, Casa Nova, and Eira Velha, but also as a blend with the same philosophy as Fonseca Guimaraens. I remember there being some confusion last year as to whether or not it was a super cuvee like Noval Nacional or Graham's The Stone Terraces, but apparently it is not.

If it is bottled with the same philosophy as Fonseca Guimaraens, then that means it would normally not be bottled during a generally declared year. Which holds true so far with the limited sampling of 2022 and 2023.

No Sentinal falls between Vargellas and Fonseca Guimaraens from what I’ve been told.

Adrian said it would be below Vargellas in stature.

I'm just going by what I've seen reported in reviews.