2024 Vintage - First Thoughts

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've had chance to taste a few of the 2024 Vintage Ports, and to taste twice most of the big names.

As people think about what they'd like to buy, I thought it might be helpful for me to post a summary of my thoughts.

The vintage is superb, up there in quality with 2011 and 1994. What I found fascinating was the different interpretation that the winemaking teams offered for what is essentially the same excellent quality of fruit arising from a near perfect growing season.

The Fladgate Partnership (Taylor, Taylor Sentinel, Fonseca, Croft and Skeffington) made glorious wines that revelled in their balance and finesse. The fruit was floral, perfumed and so elegant. Symington Family Estates (Graham, Dow, Warre, Smith Woodhouse and Quinta do Vesuvio) have made big, fruit-forward fruit bombs that are jam-packed with sweet and ripe fruit. Hidden under this bounty of sweet ripe fruit are the tannins that will be needed to support the development of the wine. Quinta de Roriz is an exception in the portfolio, with more obvious acidity and a more elegant structure. Quinta do Noval's wines sat roughly between these two interpretations.

Which is the best interpretation? Both. Neither. All of them. It's stylistic difference, it's not a difference in quality. Buy the style that works best for you — and don't overlook the joy these will bring in you drink them in the next 5 years.

And if anyone is interested, I've bought 12 halves of Fonseca to take out of bond when they land and to drink over the next 2-3 years.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Tasting notes In Alphabetical Order

Barao de Vilar 2024: I am beginning to understand the 2024 vintage brings an elegance and refinement to the wines. The fruit is ripe, floral and wonderfully expressive and this wine from the Barão de Vilar portfolio shows this to its full. The wine is a rich purple in colour with a narrow rim. The purity of the fruit shines on the nose with a lovely bramble and damp green nettle complexity. The palate holds the elegance of the vintage with the fruit very nicely balanced by the acidity. Generous fine-grained tannin support the fruit and give the wine good depth and enough power to promise a good future. Black plums on the late palate change to a menthol warmed dark chocolate and dried purple plum aftertaste with the dark chocolate leading the finish, letting the freshly crushed nettle leaves through at the end. This is a nice Port with an harmonious structure balancing the fruit. Medium bodied, this will drink very well for the next 4-5 years and then will reward a decade in the cellar. 88-90/100.

Cockburn 2024: Dark with a narrow rim. Dark cherry nose, big and expressive. Contains a lot (25%) of perfectly ripe Touriga Franca that needs late sun and warmth. Ripe without being overly sweet with dense fresh fruit and fine tannins. Great grip on the late palate bringing some dark chocolate. Round and complete Port. Lingering finish. 92-94/100.

Croft 2024: 600 cases made. Field blend, foot trodden but mechanically punched. Whole bunches. Dark red with a 90% opaque centre. Perfumed fruit, fresh yet with a ripeness. Firm, fine-grained tannins. Lovely quality of fruit. Nice grip on the finish. 92-94/100.

Dow 2024: dark purple with a tiny rim. Ripe blackcurrant on the nose. Smooth texture entry, rich blackcurrant with a lovely perfume. The tannins are just beautiful. Glorious aftertaste, full and effusive. 94-96/100.

Quinta de Ervamoira 2024: From Ramos Pinto. Dark maroon bordering on purple in colour, with a narrow rim. Damson fruit and esteva perfume on the nose, ripe and fragrant without being sweet. The fruit on the palate is caged and restrained. The interplay between the ripeness of the fruit, the fragrance and perfume, the powerful acidity and the virtually invisible tannins is fascinating. But eventually the fruit and acidity become too much and you're forced to either spit or swallow - and since I was tasting at home, I swallowed! The fruit leads the flavours on the aftertaste with a delicious, ripe blackcurrant but there is so much more - a lovely white cracked pepper, a hint of dark chocolate and a touch of rehydrated prune. This is a such harmonious expression of the vintage. I suspect that the wine will drink with great enjoyment now and for the next 3-4 decades, but it will never be a 100 year power-house. However, it is thoroughly lovely and delightful. 89-91/100.

Fonseca 2024: David Guimaraens has made 36 vintages including this, his 10th declaration. 3,900 cases were made of Fonseca. An elegant scarlet, 90% opaque. Astonishing perfume on the nose! A little lavender, a little blackcurrant. The palate is elegant and refined with a delightful fruit - perfumed and elegant fruit that persists so long on the finish. 96-98/100.

Graham 2024: Dark purple, opaque with a narrow rim. A little restrained on the nose, showing a bit of sweet blackcurrant. Nice elegance on the palate, a firmness of fine-grained tannin which rather hides the sweetness traditional in Graham. A hint of citrus in the black cherry on the finish. Showing well. 95-97/100.

Graham Stone Terraces 2024: Darker magenta than the G24 tasted prior to this wine. Blackcurrant and dark chocolate on the nose, with hints of tropical fruit. Glorious fruit driven palate, ripe and perfumed. Exploding into life on the palate. Fabulous tannins give one of the firmest grips of the 2024. Big, but balanced. So impressive. 96-98/100.

Quinta do Noval 2024: If I have my maths right, around 1,700 cases of Quinta do Noval Vintage Port were made in 2024. 40% Touriga Nacional, 25% Sousão. Dark magenta with a slightly wider rim than the Symington wines. Lovely fragrant fruit on the nose. The fruit is ripe, floral and hides a firmness tannin. Buoyant acidity gives a delightful aftertaste, dominated by the fruit. So fresh. 94-96/100.

Quinta do Noval Nacional 2024: 170 cases made. A wine with 108g of residual sugar. A little subdued on the nose, soft and fragrant bramble. Floral on the palate but coming with a huge grip, full of complex fruit with some tropical fruit lurking in the slightly bitter bramble. Firm tannins. Glorious. 95-97/100.

Quinta do Passadouro 2024: dark magenta with a wide rim. Soft black damson on the nose with a lovely perfume. Beautiful poise on the palate, elegant with a delicate and perfumed fruit. Firm tannins just emphasise the perfume of the fruit. Lovely. 91-93/100.

Quinta da Romaneira 2024: delicate fruit on the nose. 47% Touriga Franca, 10% Sousão. Sweet, poised, elegant with a lovely grip in the fruit. Lightbodied and elegant, but still a nice and expressive young Port which will drink well for the next 2-3 decades. 88-90/100.

Quinta de Roriz 2024: deep maroon with a narrow rim. Delightful fragrance of perfumed ripe black cherry fruit. Sweet fruit on the palate with a markedly higher level of acidity than most other SFE wines. Gentle grip from lovely ripe tannins. The perfume in the fruit is astonishing. This is one of the best Port from Roriz that I have tried. I love the acidity in the wine. 93-95/100.

Skeffington 2024: cask sample. 260 cases produced in 75cl format only. Transparent red colour. Perfumed fruit on the nose. A lovely balance on the palate with great grip in the perfumed fruit; incredibly fragrant. The persistence on the finish is so impressive. Delightful; drink now but with the structure to mature for decades. 92-94/100.

Smith Woodhouse 2024: dark maroon with a very narrow rim. An elegant perfumed nose, with a nice complexity built around the fragrant black cherry. Smooth textured entry with the fruit dominating the palate. Hidden in the fruit behind the gentle ground peppercorn are elegant tannins. The palate is rich, sweet and perfumed. Perfumed black cherry and dark chocolate finish. Good length. A little lacking in acidity so the sweetness and stickiness of the fruit dominates. 88-90/100.

Taylor 2024: 5,000 cases (compared with 6,900 in 1992). The individuality of each of the wines from the Fladgate Partnership is a joy to see. Like its siblings, this wine has a transparent red centre but comes with its own distinct expression of fragrant fruit on the nose. On the palate there is a steely, mineral core to the fruit yet it still managed to carry that fabulous (and distinctive to Taylor) strawberry tone to the fruit. Drier tannins that are firmer than its siblings give a peppery tone to the palate, but the fruit has a refined character to it that more than holds up against the warmth. Peppery raspberry conserve on the long and sticky finish. Another wonderful expression of a near perfect growing season. A restrained counterpoint to the exuberant Croft. 94-96/100.

Taylor Sentinels 2024: dark maroon, just transparent at the centre. Dusty bramble on the nose, sweet fruit on the palate with the perfume that is characteristic of the vintage. Firm grip, ripe tannins. Lovely strawberry coulis finish, where the tannins relent quickly to allow the perfume of the wine to shine. Easy to drink today. 90-92/100.

Quinta do Vesuvio 2024: dark purple, tiny rim. Dark plum fruit on the nose, perfumed by lavender and esteva. The perfume is what hits the palate, with the sweetness of the fruit being offset beautifully by the acidity. The wine fills the palate, washing flavour into every corner of the mouth. Black cherry and dark chocolate linger on the palate for minutes. A fabulously rich wine packed full of delicious ripe and fleshy fruit. 93-95/100.

Quinta do Vesuvio, Capela do Vesuvio 2024: deep purple in colour, opaque. Sweet fruit on the nose and carrying a rich, opulent fruit onto the palate. The fruit brings an impressive complexity to the dense darkness, so many layers of flavour. The tannins are swept away by the sweetness of the fruit. Very sweet, but so perfumed. 92-94/100.

Warre 2024: dark purple, tiny rim. 33% old vines, 33% TF. Sloe fruit on the nose. Sweet black cherry and blackthorn on the palate with lovely fine-grained tannins giving a firm grip. Yet the fruit expresses itself with a lovely perfume. Long finish, full of the perfumed fruit. Great grip. This wine has power, but also promises to deliver that lovely Warre elegance. 93-95/100.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Tasting notes In Score Order.

Fonseca 2024: David Guimaraens has made 36 vintages including this, his 10th declaration. 3,900 cases were made of Fonseca. An elegant scarlet, 90% opaque. Astonishing perfume on the nose! A little lavender, a little blackcurrant. The palate is elegant and refined with a delightful fruit - perfumed and elegant fruit that persists so long on the finish. 96-98/100.

Graham Stone Terraces 2024: Darker magenta than the G24 tasted prior to this wine. Blackcurrant and dark chocolate on the nose, with hints of tropical fruit. Glorious fruit driven palate, ripe and perfumed. Exploding into life on the palate. Fabulous tannins give one of the firmest grips of the 2024. Big, but balanced. So impressive. 96-98/100.

Graham 2024: Dark purple, opaque with a narrow rim. A little restrained on the nose, showing a bit of sweet blackcurrant. Nice elegance on the palate, a firmness of fine-grained tannin which rather hides the sweetness traditional in Graham. A hint of citrus in the black cherry on the finish. Showing well. 95-97/100.

Quinta do Noval Nacional 2024: 170 cases made. A wine with 108g of residual sugar. A little subdued on the nose, soft and fragrant bramble. Floral on the palate but coming with a huge grip, full of complex fruit with some tropical fruit lurking in the slightly bitter bramble. Firm tannins. Glorious. 95-97/100.

Dow 2024: dark purple with a tiny rim. Ripe blackcurrant on the nose. Smooth texture entry, rich blackcurrant with a lovely perfume. The tannins are just beautiful. Glorious aftertaste, full and effusive. 94-96/100.

Quinta do Noval 2024: If I have my maths right, around 1,700 cases of Quinta do Noval Vintage Port were made in 2024. 40% Touriga Nacional, 25% Sousão. Dark magenta with a slightly wider rim than the Symington wines. Lovely fragrant fruit on the nose. The fruit is ripe, floral and hides a firmness tannin. Buoyant acidity gives a delightful aftertaste, dominated by the fruit. So fresh. 94-96/100.

Taylor 2024: 5,000 cases (compared with 6,900 in 1992). The individuality of each of the wines from the Fladgate Partnership is a joy to see. Like its siblings, this wine has a transparent red centre but comes with its own distinct expression of fragrant fruit on the nose. On the palate there is a steely, mineral core to the fruit yet it still managed to carry that fabulous (and distinctive to Taylor) strawberry tone to the fruit. Drier tannins that are firmer than its siblings give a peppery tone to the palate, but the fruit has a refined character to it that more than holds up against the warmth. Peppery raspberry conserve on the long and sticky finish. Another wonderful expression of a near perfect growing season. A restrained counterpoint to the exuberant Croft. 94-96/100.

Quinta de Roriz 2024: deep maroon with a narrow rim. Delightful fragrance of perfumed ripe black cherry fruit. Sweet fruit on the palate with a markedly higher level of acidity than most other SFE wines. Gentle grip from lovely ripe tannins. The perfume in the fruit is astonishing. This is one of the best Port from Roriz that I have tried. I love the acidity in the wine. 93-95/100.

Quinta do Vesuvio 2024: dark purple, tiny rim. Dark plum fruit on the nose, perfumed by lavender and esteva. The perfume is what hits the palate, with the sweetness of the fruit being offset beautifully by the acidity. The wine fills the palate, washing flavour into every corner of the mouth. Black cherry and dark chocolate linger on the palate for minutes. A fabulously rich wine packed full of delicious ripe and fleshy fruit. 93-95/100.

Warre 2024: dark purple, tiny rim. 33% old vines, 33% TF. Sloe fruit on the nose. Sweet black cherry and blackthorn on the palate with lovely fine-grained tannins giving a firm grip. Yet the fruit expresses itself with a lovely perfume. Long finish, full of the perfumed fruit. Great grip. This wine has power, but also promises to deliver that lovely Warre elegance. 93-95/100.

Cockburn 2024: Dark with a narrow rim. Dark cherry nose, big and expressive. Contains a lot (25%) of perfectly ripe Touriga Franca that needs late sun and warmth. Ripe without being overly sweet with dense fresh fruit and fine tannins. Great grip on the late palate bringing some dark chocolate. Round and complete Port. Lingering finish. 92-94/100.

Croft 2024: 600 cases made. Field blend, foot trodden but mechanically punched. Whole bunches. Dark red with a 90% opaque centre. Perfumed fruit, fresh yet with a ripeness. Firm, fine-grained tannins. Lovely quality of fruit. Nice grip on the finish. 92-94/100.

Skeffington 2024: cask sample. 260 cases produced in 75cl format only. Transparent red colour. Perfumed fruit on the nose. A lovely balance on the palate with great grip in the perfumed fruit; incredibly fragrant. The persistence on the finish is so impressive. Delightful; drink now but with the structure to mature for decades. 92-94/100.

Quinta do Vesuvio, Capela do Vesuvio 2024: deep purple in colour, opaque. Sweet fruit on the nose and carrying a rich, opulent fruit onto the palate. The fruit brings an impressive complexity to the dense darkness, so many layers of flavour. The tannins are swept away by the sweetness of the fruit. Very sweet, but so perfumed. 92-94/100.

Quinta do Passadouro 2024: dark magenta with a wide rim. Soft black damson on the nose with a lovely perfume. Beautiful poise on the palate, elegant with a delicate and perfumed fruit. Firm tannins just emphasise the perfume of the fruit. Lovely. 91-93/100.

Taylor Sentinels 2024: dark maroon, just transparent at the centre. Dusty bramble on the nose, sweet fruit on the palate with the perfume that is characteristic of the vintage. Firm grip, ripe tannins. Lovely strawberry coulis finish, where the tannins relent quickly to allow the perfume of the wine to shine. Easy to drink today. 90-92/100.

Quinta de Ervamoira 2024: From Ramos Pinto. Dark maroon bordering on purple in colour, with a narrow rim. Damson fruit and esteva perfume on the nose, ripe and fragrant without being sweet. The fruit on the palate is caged and restrained. The interplay between the ripeness of the fruit, the fragrance and perfume, the powerful acidity and the virtually invisible tannins is fascinating. But eventually the fruit and acidity become too much and you're forced to either spit or swallow - and since I was tasting at home, I swallowed! The fruit leads the flavours on the aftertaste with a delicious, ripe blackcurrant but there is so much more - a lovely white cracked pepper, a hint of dark chocolate and a touch of rehydrated prune. This is a such harmonious expression of the vintage. I suspect that the wine will drink with great enjoyment now and for the next 3-4 decades, but it will never be a 100 year power-house. However, it is thoroughly lovely and delightful. 89-91/100.

Barao de Vilar 2024: I am beginning to understand the 2024 vintage brings an elegance and refinement to the wines. The fruit is ripe, floral and wonderfully expressive and this wine from the Barão de Vilar portfolio shows this to its full. The wine is a rich purple in colour with a narrow rim. The purity of the fruit shines on the nose with a lovely bramble and damp green nettle complexity. The palate holds the elegance of the vintage with the fruit very nicely balanced by the acidity. Generous fine-grained tannin support the fruit and give the wine good depth and enough power to promise a good future. Black plums on the late palate change to a menthol warmed dark chocolate and dried purple plum aftertaste with the dark chocolate leading the finish, letting the freshly crushed nettle leaves through at the end. This is a nice Port with an harmonious structure balancing the fruit. Medium bodied, this will drink very well for the next 4-5 years and then will reward a decade in the cellar. 88-90/100.

Quinta da Romaneira 2024: delicate fruit on the nose. 47% Touriga Franca, 10% Sousão. Sweet, poised, elegant with a lovely grip in the fruit. Lightbodied and elegant, but still a nice and expressive young Port which will drink well for the next 2-3 decades. 88-90/100.

Smith Woodhouse 2024: dark maroon with a very narrow rim. An elegant perfumed nose, with a nice complexity built around the fragrant black cherry. Smooth textured entry with the fruit dominating the palate. Hidden in the fruit behind the gentle ground peppercorn are elegant tannins. The palate is rich, sweet and perfumed. Perfumed black cherry and dark chocolate finish. Good length. A little lacking in acidity so the sweetness and stickiness of the fruit dominates. 88-90/100.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Tasting notes now posted.