1997 W & J Graham's Vintage Port - Douro

1997 Graham’s Vintage Port with Ripe Elegance

The 1997 Graham’s Vintage Port offers a fascinating introduction to Graham’s rich house style and to a Douro vintage that has now had ample time to develop in the bottle. The port house is known for its full-bodied, fruit-forward style. With a matured Vintage Port like this one, softer and more refined aromas may emerge.

The Story of the 1997 Vintage

Graham’s was founded in 1820 and is one of the historic names in the world of port. Today, the Symington family manages the house. In the Douro, the vineyards are situated on steep slopes, with variations in elevation, soil, and sun exposure. As a result, each vintage requires unique decisions regarding the harvest and the blending of the wine.

In 1997, several port houses declared a Vintage. The wines from that year demonstrate how ripe fruit and structure can go hand in hand with elegant development. Graham’s is known for its rich character, but time in the bottle can significantly alter the tasting experience. Vintage Port is bottled relatively young and continues to age in the bottle. Over the years, the wine may develop notes of dried fruit and spices. The exact aging profile always depends on how it is stored.

Aroma and taste

Expect black berries, plums, figs, cocoa, and subtle spices. The flavor is rich and harmonious, with tannins that may soften over the years. A well-preserved bottle can offer a beautiful interplay between lingering fruit, fresh vibrancy, and aging aromas.

Serving and Pairing

Serve at around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Stand the bottle upright beforehand and decant it carefully to separate any sediment. Blue cheese and dark chocolate pair well with this full-bodied style, but a quiet tasting on its own is just as interesting.

Discover more

Compare with 1994 Graham’s Vintage, 2007 Graham’s Vintage and 1997 Fonseca Vintage. Discover our Vintage Ports.