Taylor's : Sentinels Vintage Port 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice 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 intertwine in a complex, captivating bouquet.

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

Food pairings and serving moments

Ideally paired with walnuts, blue cheeses and assertive cheeses, as well as dried fruits such as apricots and figs. Also superb on its own. Serve at 16–18 °C after decanting, leaving the bottle upright for a few hours so the sediment can settle.

The indulgence and silkiness of a Douro Valley Vintage Port

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 preserves traditional methods, notably foot-treading in granite lagares and aging in oak casks. Dedicated exclusively to Port for three centuries, the house crafts remarkable Vintages in exceptional years, embodying Portuguese excellence.

Sentinels Vintage Port 2023, guardian of tradition

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

The vintage

After several dry years in Duriense, 2023 finally opened under the sign of rain. A dry April preceded flowering that began on May 1 at lower altitudes, followed by a long rainy spell from May 22 to June 10. In Pinhão, veraison was noted on July 7. August was particularly hot. Harvest began in mid-August for whites, then on September 4 for reds, spurred by the 13 mm that fell the day before—an ultimate boost to ripeness. Two further rains, on September 10 and 16, cut the momentum of the harvest and turned the end of the season into a race against time to pick the last grapes.

Grape varieties

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