1991 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port

[John Sel]

On opening: colour very dark red, nearly to the rim. No real attenuation. On the nose, first impression is of black treacle, but it is possible to discern elements of violet, truffle and eucalyptus. Palate is full, warm and round, the fruit underpinned by sinewy acidity and moderate tannin. Quite a brawny wine at this stage. Days 2 and 3 (stoppered decanter at 16C): holding its form and becoming more composed on the palate. The quality of fruit is now shining through. Overall the wine is ripe and sweet with a svelte quality. Now seems very harmonious and displays a complexity of flavour not apparent initially. May not perhaps have quite the intensity to make very old bones, but this is still a wine of vigour at 22 years of age and offers the prospect of some further development. Knocks most 1991s into the proverbial cocked hat. The Vesuvio of that year is perhaps the nearest comparator, but the Vargellas to my mind has a touch of added complexity. 92+

[Andy Velebil]

Spot on note! and I agree 100% with this statement

May not perhaps have quite the intensity to make very old bones, but this is still a wine of vigour at 22 years of age and offers the prospect of some further development.

[Eric Menchen]

And I agree with this one, consistent with my notes from this tasting, where I picked the Vargellas as my favorite 1991, and scored it a point higher than the 1991 Vesuvio, more recently tasted.

Knocks most 1991s into the proverbial cocked hat.