Fladgate Partnership declares four vintage Ports from 2019

The Fladgate Partnership has declared four single quinta vintage Ports from the 2019 vintage under its Taylor’s, Croft and Fonseca labels. 

The Port producer has declared 2019 single quinta vintage Ports for Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas and Quinta de Terra Feita as well as Fonseca Guimaraens and Croft Quinta da Roêda.

The four Ports will now be cellared for release at a later date.

Commenting on the differences between the two single quinta vintage Ports, due to be bottled by Taylor’s, managing director of Taylor’s, Adrian Bridge, said: “Quinta de Vargellas 2019 Port shows the elegance and composure which we associate with this great estate, whereas Quinta de Terra Feita 2019 Port expresses a sumptuous opulence and earthiness, hallmark of this historic property. Taylor’s has always offered single quinta vintage Port as a mature Port as we are currently selling the Quinta de Vargellas 2013. By putting these aside we are looking to satisfy demand for such Ports in 2029/2030.”

Bridge added that he was confident the conditions experienced in 2019 would make for Ports with “extensive longevity”. Conditions were drier and cooler than a normal year, allowing grapes to retain acidity while reaching maturity. Yields achieved by Taylor’s were described as being almost a tenth lower than the 10-year average.

A total of 5,000 cases will be made of the Quinta de Vargellas 2019 vintage Port, while there will be 1,500 of the Quinta de Terra Feita.

Winemaker David Guimaraens added: “The cool conditions in August and the much-welcomed rain on the 25 and 26 August, were key to preserving the natural acidity of the grapes that is one of the characteristics of the Ports from 2019. Yields were relatively low, but this was made up for in the depth and structure of the 2019 vintage Ports.”

Also declared was the 2019 vintage Port from Croft’s Quinta da Roêda. Bridge said the Port had “great depth and concentration” and would be released in the next eight to 10 years. The 2018 expression is currently on the market, while a total of 2,950 cases of the 2019 have been made.

Guimaraens added: “Roêda is an outstanding property, which includes some old vineyards of great historic interest. These contribute to the wonderful richness of the Roêda vintage Ports, which really stand out for their aromatic complexity.”

Finally, Fonseca has declared a 2019 vintage Port under its Guimaraens label. Like with the Croft Quinta da Roêda, the 2018 Fonseca Guimaraens is currently available.

Bridge said the 2019 would also be released in the next eight to 10 years and showed “density and structure, with an impressive depth”.

Guimaraens added: “The 2019 displays all the fine fruit character that we expect from Guimaraens vintage Ports combined with an attractive freshness and finesse typical of the year.”

4,000 cases of the Fonseca Guimaraens vintage Port have been made. Guimaraens vintage Ports are made in certain years when a classic Fonseca vintage is not declared and are considered to be more approachable in youth.