For The Love Of Port

I originally considered doing a Poll and listing 15-20 top Port shippers, but deemed that unfair. I want ALL Port producers and Shippers to be included in this and listing 15-20 would exclude some that other individuals might feel are worthy.

I would like to know who you feel is "THE MOST CONSISTENT" Vintage Port producer. If you are looking for a time frame, then please consider the achievements from over the past 50-75 years. Not just looking for a name, but the reason for your answer as well. Thanks!

There are four brands I put on the list, Grahams, Croft, Taylor, & Fonseca, but since your answer if for one brand. I figure I’ll pick a less than obvious to many brand… I’ll go with Croft.

From the 20th century till now, Croft has had a consistent profile in taste- Mandarin, light spice with a touch of chocolate, backed by heat of varying degrees.

Croft is not the “best” house, but certainly their vintages are easy to recognize and that is what consistency is about. If the question was who the best producer of the last 75 years is, my answer would be different, but hardly absolute.

Good question. It hits me that Graham & Warre are probably the two most consistent producers of VP. True, Taylor & Fonseca do produce legendary wines in many vintages, but every now and them they do seem to miss the mark. Dow also seems to be fairly consistent as well - but I'll stick with Grahan & Warre as the MOST consistent shippers.

Marc

Moses and Mark bring up a good point about consistency. My context of that word is not aiming at consistency of house style though and I should have been more clear. I am referencing the meaning as "consistency of high quality across many vintages." Sorry that I did not spell that out the first time!

Hmm, a toughy for sure as there are many solid producers out there and to narrow it down to one wasn't easy for me. In the last 50 years I'd have to give a slight nod to Graham's. Not only do they make a solid Port in non-major declared years, but their VP's have generally remained in the top percent of declared years.

Before that, say in the first 1/2 of the 1900's, I still need to think about and narrow down a few choices to just one. So I'll get back to you all on that one later.

Even after your explanation Roy, from my reading (haven't tasted these), I'm still not going to suggest Taylor (1985) or Fonseca (1980).

Roy Hersh wrote:Moses and Mark bring up a good point about consistency. My context of that word is not aiming at consistency of house style though and I should have been more clear. I am referencing the meaning as "consistency of high quality across many vintages." Sorry that I did not spell that out the first time!

I wasn't sure how you were qualifying consistency, but if you mean "consistency of high quality across many vintages" it is very, very close between the big three (Taylor, Fonseca, and Grahams), but I would have to agree with Andy that Grahams gets a slight nod.

I did not pick Grahams based on what I thought you meant on consistency because not every vintage of Grahams is as sweet as I think their style is, yet are still excellent vintages.

Realistically, you can't go wrong with any 20th century vintage from any of these 3.

Eric Menchen wrote:Even after your explanation Roy, from my reading (haven't tasted these), I'm still not going to suggest Taylor (1985) or Fonseca (1980).

The T85 and F80 are the perfect examples of why I think it has to be Graham.

Graham may not have produced a T77, F70, or quite as high of a 1994, but if you look back through the last 40 years I don't think you'll find a "bad" Graham. Their peaks may not quite equal the peaks that Taylor Fladgate and Fonseca can reach, but they also don't hit those valleys. Taylor and Fonseca can both hit 100, but they can also hit 85. Or 80. Graham's point range seems to be pretty consistently 90-98. Maybe even 92-98. And isn't that the definition of consistency?

I'd vote Taylor's as Producer because not only they were able to produce high quality Vintage Port, but they also produced high quality Single Quinta Port. So my vote goes to them for quantity and quality.

Frederick,

Only for the sake of dialogue between us here ... do you not feel the Malvedos and later, Quinta dos Malvedos bottlings were of a high quality? What about Guimaraens for Fonseca in that case? Your opinions on their consistency?

Roy Hersh wrote:Frederick,

Only for the sake of dialogue between us here ... do you not feel the Malvedos and later, Quinta dos Malvedos bottlings were of a high quality? What about Guimaraens for Fonseca in that case? Your opinions on their consistency?

For Guimaraens, I did not have enough different ones. As for Malvedos, those from the 80's I did have were solid as from the 90's appart from 92, there was a clear downgrade in quality.

At the moment the only producers that I had liked every thing I've tried. Is: Taylor's (and Dow's, but I haven't try that much of Dow's).