Taylor's : Sentinels Vintage Port 2022

A new port from The Fladgate Partnership using fruit sourced from their properties in and around the Pinhão Valley: Terra Feita, Junco, Casa Nova and Eira Velha. A field blend dominated by Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Amarela and Tinta da Barca. Foot-trodden and aged in big wooden vats of 20,000 litres for two years. RS 102 g/l, pH 3.74, TA 4.3 g/l. Black core with purple rim. Dark and lightly charry dark fruit (but not oaky), becoming more floral with air. Ripe and redolent of damsons and mulberries, with an inviting sweetness. On the palate, this has notable freshness and really flows over the palate, none of the thickness of young tannins. Cool and restrained in structure. You might even call this juicy for a young vintage port but behind the fruit is a port firmly structured for longevity. Super-smooth even in youth. (JH)