GUIDE TO PORT VINTAGES

Coup de Foudre, LLC



 1847   1851   1863   1870   1875   1878   1884   1887   1890   1892   1894   1896   1897   1899   1900   1904   1908   1912   1917   1920   1922   1924   1927   1931   1934   1935   1942   1944   1945   1947   1948   1950   1954   1955   1958   1960   1963   1966   1967   1970   1972   1975   1977   1978   1979   1980   1982   1983   1985   1987   1991   1992   1994   1997


1900

22 shippers. A balanced and fruity vintage despite the fact that the wines were not remarkably dark or full-bodied.

1904

25 shippers. A big vintage with an excellent reputation, despite the fact the vines were a little overloaded and that the grapes lacked a little concentration.

1908

26 shippers. This year produced ports which, like the 1977s, were slightly stalky and green in their infancy. Some wines have now faded but others still maintain their fruit flavours intact.

1912

25 shippers. A great vintage which is still showing rich, peppery fruit flavours. Still very drinkable and a wonderful treat today.

1917

15 shippers. The summer of 1917 was extremely hot and the wines produced tended to be very concentrated with a tendency to be slightly over-ripe. Sweet and soft, the 1917 could still be drinkable.

1920

23 shippers. A year in which the majority of the major port houses declared. At last tasting, the wine had developed into a lovely tawny style wine.

1922

18 shippers.

1924

18 shippers. A good year, which was declared by most of the shippers. Wines are often rather variable in quality but mainly good and fruity.

1927

30 shippers. A stupendous vintage, a once-in-a-century wine of grandiose proportions. Superb and classy with plenty of vigour to take the wine into the next century.

1931

3 shippers.

1934

12 shippers.

1935

15 shippers. A split vintage which has now become very difficult to find. The fruit and tannins were very well integrated. Many wines have begun to fade now. (Graham's still shows incredible richness and finesse.)

1942

10 shippers. Without the concentration of 1945 but with many elegant and soft qualities. Difficult to get hold of but Graham's did manage to make one of the outstanding wines of the vintage.

1944

3 shippers.

1945

22 shippers. Supreme in every way although dogged by the aftermath of WWII. Tremendous concentration and still showing signs of youth, magnificent. Drink now and onwards.

1947

11 shippers.

1948

9 shippers. A truly magical vintage which has always provided great debate. The growing season proved particularly hot and continued right through the harvest, causing some temperature control problems. The wines have great class and power, still youthful in colour and showing continuing ageing potential. Drink now and onwards.

1950

13 shippers.

1954

3 shippers. This vintage has a good reputation among shippers. Graham's proved to be particularly impressive although part of it was sold as Harvey's vintage 1954. A collectors item but also worth uncorking.

1955

26 shippers. The complete vintage, declared when the port trade was generally depressed. The temperatures during the spring and late summer were above average and continued throughout the harvest. Graham's 1955 is one of the best, big with generous fruit flavours. Should continue to age into the next century.

1958

12 shippers.

1960

24 shippers. A good vintage, which for some wines ended during the 1980’s. The best of 1960s are a joy to drink, rich coffee and chocolate nose with a silky finish.

1963

25 shippers. A classic vintage port year, which needs little introduction. Fantastic concentration and structure – a real treat for many years to come.

1966

20 shippers. A tremendous vintage, which tends always to be overshadowed by the 1963. These wines are solid and well built with focused fruit flavours and great class. Very elegant. Drink now and onwards.

1967

4 or 5 shippers.

1970

23 shippers. A great year for vintage port. Known for its abundant rich and ripe berry flavours, good medium tannins and long finish.

1972

2 or 3 shippers.

1975

17 shippers. A good vintage, which was declared under the threat of nationalisation. Light and silky wines which perhaps never achieved the true pinnacle of vintage port. Drink now.

1977

20 shippers. A classic with good ageing potential. Structure and abundant fruit with lots of rich raspberry and earthy aromas. Drink 2000 and onwards.

1978

2 major and 6 minor shippers.

1979

3 minor shippers.

1980

shippers. A vastly underrated vintage, which deserves much more acclaim. Showing excellent vintage port character. Beginning to drink well now.

1982

12 shippers. This was a 'split' year with some shippers opting for 1983. Time has favored 1983, however, and it is probably time to drink up most of the 1982s.

1983

circa 10 shippers. An outstanding, under-rated vintage producing muscular wines. Some shippers opted for 1982, however it would seem that 1983 has turned out to be the better wine. Stylish, big with good balance of fruit and tannin, full flavor and rich texture. Many good buys!

1985

26 shippers. First unanimous declaration since 1975. Known for their huge amounts of luscious fruit and round tannins. Continues to develop and improve. Many are drinkable from 2000 and onwards.

1987

shippers.

1991

shippers. The first vintage to be declared since 1985 produced a very small harvest but of very good quality. Wines appreciated for their aromatic nature and concentration. Drink 2005 and onwards.

1992

shippers. Another fabulous vintage for the few, like Fonseca and Taylor, that declared.

1994

shippers. A sensational vintage fully the equal of 1963. Declared by most shippers and now heavily in demand with large prices. Wonderful concentration of rich fruit with classic balance.

1997

shippers. A very intense colour with a deep purple rim, on the nose showing a luscious ripeness with rich floral aromas and undertones of black cherry. On the palette a classic full-bodied structure, packed with layers of ripe fruit and firm tannins, with a long and lingering finish.



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