Taylor's : Sentinels Vintage Port 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for Taylor's Sentinels Vintage Port 2023

Tasting

Appearance
Beautiful purple-black color.

Nose
Black fruits (blackcurrant, black plum, cherry), rockrose, mint and rose petals are among the fragrances blending in a complex and captivating nose.

Palate
Fresh and precise, the palate combines aromas of damson, plum, black cherry, lavender and herbs leading to a finish with lingering red fruit notes.

Food pairings and tasting occasions

Ideal pairing with walnuts, blue cheeses and strong-flavored cheeses, as well as with dried fruits such as apricots and figs. Also superb enjoyed on its own. Serve at 16–18 °C after decanting, leaving the bottle upright for a few hours to allow the sediment to settle.

The richness and smoothness of a Vintage Port from the Douro Valley

Taylor's, three centuries of Port excellence

Founded in 1692 in the Douro, Taylor's remains one of the most renowned Port houses. Based in Vila Nova de Gaia, it owns historic vineyards in the Douro Valley, where touriga nacional, touriga francesa and tinta roriz are cultivated. Owned by the Fladgate Partnership, Taylor's perpetuates traditional methods, including foot treading in granite lagares and aging in oak casks. Dedicated exclusively to Port for three centuries, the house produces remarkable Vintages in exceptional years, embodying Portuguese excellence.

The Sentinels Vintage Port 2022, guardian of traditions

The name Sentinels pays tribute to the 335 marcos de feitoria, granite pillars erected in 1758 to delimit prestigious production areas. Sourced from Taylor's four historic quintas (Terra Feita, Junco, Casa Nova, Eira Velha), all located in the Pinhão Valley and classified feitoria during the 1756 demarcation, this Port reflects the generous and powerfully fruity style emblematic of this Portuguese valley.

The vintage

After several dry years in Duriense, 2023 finally opens under the sign of rain. The dry month of April precedes flowering that blooms from May 1st at lower altitudes, before a long rainy period from May 22nd to June 10th. In Pinhão, veraison begins on July 7th. August is particularly hot. Harvesting begins in mid-August for whites, then on September 4th for reds, boosted by the 13 mm of rain that fell the day before, a final push toward maturity. Two additional rainfalls, on September 10th and 16th, break the harvest momentum and transform the end of the campaign into a breathless race to pick the last grapes in time.

Grape varieties

The blend brings together seven historic grape varieties: touriga francesa, touriga nacional, tinta roriz, tinta barroca, tinto cão, tinta amarela and tinta da barca.