2022 Taylor Sentinels

[Alex Bridgeman]

Blueberry nose, plenty of fruit but also some clean spirit showing over the top of the fruit. Good balance on entry, with the fruit being supported by the hidden tannins and gentle acidity. Nicely balanced, the tannins take their time to gather together and grip the cheeks. Dry core to the fruity aftertaste, followed by a long blackcurrant finish with dry edges. Good length. Lovely wine. Day 3. 91-93/100. Tasted 23-Aug-2024.

This wine is produced from Taylor’s vineyards in the Pinhão Valley, within the demarcated region originally marked with the Feitoria sentinel stones. The grapes come from four estates, Quintas da Terra Feita, Junco, Casa Nova and Eira Velha. Many years ago, in the 1930s and 1940s, Taylor’s used to release in small quantities an off-vintage Port called Taylor’s Pinhão. Perhaps this wine of yester-year would have been similar to the Taylor’s Sentinels Port of 2022.