Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 1977: A Matured Classic
Taylor’s is one of the historic port houses in Vila Nova de Gaia. Vintage Port is declared only in select years and continues to age in the bottle after bottling.
Origin and Production
Taylor Fladgate is a historic port house from Vila Nova de Gaia, located in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Vintage Port is made from grapes harvested in a single exceptional vintage and bottled after a relatively short period of aging in wood. Its further development takes place primarily in the bottle, often over many decades.
The Story of the Vintage
1977 is an important vintage year for classic Vintage Port. Taylor Fladgate produced a wine with a robust structure and a long history of bottle aging. A bottle of this age requires special care regarding its condition and how it is opened.
Aromas and Development
Notes of dried plums, figs, cocoa, spices, and nutty nuances can develop over the course of decades. During bottle aging, primary fruit notes may slowly give way to aromas of dried fruit, spices, and other complex nuances. Significant sediment may form. The taste and fill level of an old bottle are closely related to how it has been stored over the years. Therefore, it is wise to evaluate each bottle individually.
Saving, Opening, and Combining
Before opening, stand the bottle upright for a sufficient amount of time to allow sediment to settle to the bottom. Open carefully and decant if necessary to separate the sediment. If the cork is very old, a special corkscrew or port tongs may be helpful. Serve slightly chilled in a port glass. Pair with blue cheese, dark chocolate, or enjoy on its own. An old Vintage Port can change more quickly after opening than a young wine.
Discover more
See also 1992 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port and discover other Vintage Ports at Port2Port.

