For The Love Of Port

Pocas too

Add Kopke and Burmester to the list.

Yesterday, I was grateful to taste ten different 2024 Vintage Ports. 8 in a Masterclass attended by 6 top Port-makers, and then another pair in the afterparty with LOTS of other high end older Vintage Ports, blended tawnies and Colheitas. The other 2 were 2024 VPs by Alves de Sousa ... after The Fladgate Partnership's event at The Yeatman Hotel. Billed as: "Port Wine Celebration Masterclass" yesterday afternoon, and followed by an extraordinary after party last into night, with DJ and lots of food and wine and tons of Ports. David Guimaraens led the Masterclass marterfully, with commentary by Luis Sottomayor and Lourenco Charters (Sogrape), Andre Barbosa of Pocas, Tiago Alves de Sousa (from his family's eponymous company) and Ricardo Nunes from Churchill's. The class was brilliantly presented both in Portuguese and English, respectively ... (at the same event). As I plan to do a very thorough article and tasting notes from my (blind) evaluations later in 2026, I am not going to give "snapshot" views or tasting notes here. Photos are on IG and FB today and much more to come on social media in the coming days.

Hard to believe I was there nearly 8 hours. So many guests and wine personalities showed up and at the very end of the night, an appearance by Natasha Bridge, and her parents, Alistair and Gillyane Robertson joined the party. Adrian, David Guimaraens, Tania Oliveira, Chris Forbes, Andrew Costello and many others members of TFP management team were on hand, and well over 150 guests attended the afterparty, which was quite the event, with everything from sushi stations, meet cooked to order, a spectacular shellfish bar, a wide array of Portuguese cured meats and curated cheeses ... not to mention the most comprehensive dessert presentation I've ever seen in this country.

But back to the 2024 Vintage Ports:

* Sandeman
* Croft
* Pocas
* Fonseca
* Ferreira
* Churchill's
* Alves de Sousa's Amphiteatrum
* Taylor's

Afterwards, Quinta da Gaivosa and the pure Alves de Sousa pair of 2024s joined the party. From my viewpoint, it is undeniable that there has not been a Vintage Port release of this quality since 2017, (if not 2011). Seven years between what will definitely be a "Classic" / "Generally Declared" year for Vintage Port. Arguably the longest period between declarations, except for 1985-1992 (unless declaring the 1991, for some firms) since in nearly a century. I've been talking about 2024, since my feet were in the lagares that year, picking grapes off vines and tasting them during September, and scooping lagar samples of DR and Quinta do Noval Nacional in Douro. And, here we are.

While the depth of extractions/colors vary slightly, the quality of aromatics and concentration of berry flavors is phenomenal. Impressive is the synchronicity of the acidity and tannins, and 2024 will become known for the beautiful integration of these structural components. I can't wait to do a very deep dive into this vintage during private visits in June, and scheduled tours to Douro during this year's harvest. I have received some samples, but will get the others AFTER the official IVDP approved bottlings take place in June. Next week, I have invites to taste more from the Symingtons, then Noval/Nacional too.

From what I've already spent time with during the masterclass, and afterwards where all of those Ports were available to retaste,(which I did, methodically) it is reminiscent of first impressions QUALITATIVELY of an event in 2013 (June) when here in Porto for the 2011 Vintage Port release party held by the Confraria. 2024 is for real, and hopefully will inject some global enthusiasm back into the Port wine category, at a time where there is concern, as some companies in the trade are experiencing a noticeable downturn in Port sales. So, the timing of this ramped up enthusiasm couldn't be better.

A few of these 2024s were really mind blowing (but all were at a very high level of quality) and without being hyperbolic, I will just say that this could possibly turn out to be the finest year for VPs, in the first quarter of this century, so far. It is way too early to say that from just 10 different very early examples, (tried 2 glasses of each over the course of yesterday's events). Regardless, for these young Ports, it is very exciting to taste how much better these are, profoundly so, than the solid Vintage Ports produced between 2018-2022, in my opinion. Admittedly, I pretty much ignored 2023 after tasting several early samples mid-2025 and a few later in the year. Good, but nothing special, imho. And I knew what was on the cusp of coming in 2026. As good as 2024 is ... there is also a lot of anticipation for 2025. I can't imagine they will truly rival 2024, but there was a lot of exalted talk during last year's harvest. Will it amount to back-to-back full on declarations, since that bridge has already been crossed with 2016/2017 ... that certainly remains to be seen, next year. For now, there is a LOT to love about 2024s.

One thing should be noted: the yields of 2024 Vintage Ports and overall production levels are miniscule. So, if you are interested, buy early upon release. I do not believe there will be enough quantity for producers to hold back for later releases, (except for internal library stocks) so IF interested, do not snooze when you see them offered for sale. My in depth comprehensive report on 2024s will be forthcoming later this year for subscribers of the FTLOP newsletter.

Vasques de Carvalho as well

Quinta do Noval, Nacional and Quinta do Passadouro have officially announced.

Yes, I was with Christian Seely, Carlos Agrellos and Manuel Oliveira, along with about 15-20 others, journalists, and Somms. It was their premiere for launching their 2024s and showing them to the public. First up 4 newly released white wines, then 6 reds, (two of which are from a pair of new and special projects being launched). Then came the 3 Ports: Qta do Passadouro, Quinta do Noval and then the Nacional.

After yesterday's Symington event, which I will posts separately in this thread, (which took place yesterday) I have now had nearly 2 dozen 2024s in the past six days. Better known as a good week.

Mr. Seely is heading to the USA too. In America, something that has not happened in recent years ... the Fladgate Partnership, Symington Family Estates and AXA's Quinta do Noval, will do their redux of a great roadshow together to launch the 2024 Vintage Ports in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. I know a few people from here have received invitations.

You are in for an amazing time.

For me, while I really like 2015, 2016 and 2017 ... I liked 2011 better. 2024 is at that level and possibly a notch up. I was honestly blown away by the sheer quality of the Ports from 2024. In my next post, I'll expand upon that a little more.

I was incorrect, the 9L of 1994 Vesuvio was actually in a green glass bottle, not clear glass.

#22 of 2024 VPs tasted to this point. Photo on IG today.

Barao de Vilar. Quite good and also had their 2004 White Colheita too.


Another one to be declared any day now: Dos Santos 2024 Vintage Port. Looking forward to try it within coming days.

2024 Menin VP also now tasted.