Port Harvest Vintage Report's

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A good vintage declared by most shippers and some elegant, light Vintage Ports produced.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with a few Vintage Ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A very good Vintage Port year producing Vintage Ports which were ripe, well-balanced and fruity. A note from Andrew Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "1920 will be very short - possibly only two thirds of last year. The sun has burned a good many grapes but what are left promise well."

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A good vintage declared by most shippers and some elegant Vintage Ports produced. A note from Maurice Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "As far as can be judged at this early stage, the wines from the best districts should be distinctly above the average."

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A very good Vintage Port year producing Vintage Ports with structure and intensity. A note from Gordon Cosens of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "That the '24s will turn out to be better than an ordinary vintage seems to be the general opinion. The quantity, however, has been considerably reduced by the queima (sunburn) which occurred three times during the early stages of ripening."

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

An outstanding Vintage Port year and one of the classic vintages of the twenth century declared by a large number of shippers. A note from Maurice Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "In the Quintas and other good districts, grapes were exceptionally far advanced at the end of July; during August they ripened more slowly, but without any serious check, so that they are today just about correct for the time of year. Vintage on 3rd October? Quantity is not abundant, but condition so far is excellent, promising good wine, but less than average yield."

A good vintage with or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

An outstanding Vintage Port year declared by a few shippers. The year produced Quinta Do Noval 1931 - one of the greatest Vintage Ports ever made. A note from Amyas Warre of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "In the finest vineyards some good wine with plenty of colour is promised but elsewhere the mostos (musts) are thin and green."

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A good vintage with a few Vintage Ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully. A note from Andrew Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Quality and colour seem to be excellent."

A very good Vintage Port year producing Vintage Ports with structure and plenty of flavour. A note from Andrew Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Visited all three Quintas. Not surprised to find the 1934s very good... the wines show good colour and flavour. There is every prospect of 1934 being a good vintage."

An outstanding Vintage Port year producing sweet and rich Vintage Ports with fruit and tannins. A note from Andrew Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "I am inclined to think that the quality and good colour inspires hope that the 1935 may prove good enough to make a Jubilee vintage - quantity is less than last year - but quality appears to be better."

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some very rare stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

1940 was a poor vintage with a tiny amount of Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A good vintage declared by some shippers, despite the war. It was the first Vintage to be bottled exclusively in Portugal, rather than shipped in cask abroad.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

The vintage of the century producing full-bodied wines with fantastic structure. A note from Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The weather throughout was exceptionally hot. In spite of the heat it was only during two days that high temperatures were registered in the lagares, and the precautions had to be taken. The mostos (musts) seem quite good and the colour fairly good."

A poor vintage with no Vintage or Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A very good Vintage Port year producing elegant and delicate Vintage Ports. A note from Maurice Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The wines took plenty of work, colour was excellent and there seems every reason to suppose that the 1947's will turn out very well."

A fair vintage with a few Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A good vintage with a few Vintage and Single Quinta vintage ports produced. A note from Maurice and Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "There seems every hope that the wines of this vintage from the best districts should turn out to be really good."

A fair vintage with a few Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A fair vintage with a few Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully. A note from Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "In the Rio Torto the grapes were wonderful and in perfect condition when they came to the lagares. The mostos were little greener than our mostos here, but they also had good colour."

A fair vintage with a few Single Quinta vintage ports produced. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully. A note from Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The weather throughout the vintage was perfect and the temperatures in the lagares just what was required, and as the grapes were free of disease the Coronation vintage may turn out well, or at any rate better than expected."

A fair vintage with a few Single Quinta and vintage ports produced. The vintage was overshadowed by the '55 vintage which followed. A note from Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The graduações (sugar readings) were good and the mostos (musts) had very excellent colour and had plenty of grip. They were also full of flavour and were most pleasing to the nose and palate. [1954s] should turn out excellent wines."

An outstanding Vintage Port year producing superbly balanced Vintage Ports which are fruity, smooth and concentrated. A note from Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The musts on the whole were very pleasant and generally speaking the later lagares were better than the earlier ones. We think some very good wines should be made as the colour generally was good and they were also very nice on the nose and palate."

A poor vintage not declared by all shippers. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A poor vintage not declared by all shippers. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A good vintage declared by most shippers producing fragrant and delicate Vintage Ports. A note from Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Throughout the vintage the weather was most unfavourable with showers of rain which developed some of the days into continual pouring rain causing the picking on several occasions to come to a stop. The lagares took quite a lot of work. I think possibly in the better districts some quite good wines will be made but I very much doubt if any will be outstanding. The quantity generally is very much less than was expected, Bomfim producing about 54 pipes which is the lowest production for very many years."

A poor vintage not declared by all shippers. Some stunning tawny ports have matured beautifully in wood are are now drinking beautifully.

A very good vintage declared by most shippers. A note from Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "We are optimistic in thinking that a great proportion of the wines will turn out exxceedingly well, as the majority of the mostos were very good indeed."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The picking in a great many places required a very rigorous escolha i.e. selection which entails the women picking out the burnt and imperfect grapes from the bunches before putting them in the baskets. This naturally led to lagares taking longer to fill than usual"

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "It is rare however to see grapes in all districts looking so perfect as this year, completely lacking in any form of disease and bunches requiring no escolha (selection) at all. some musts were very pleasant even if on the green side and some had very good colour. When grapes are as exceptionally perfect as they were this year one often gets surprises and wines turn out much better than expected."

An monumental Vintage of legendary proportions. One of the 20th Century's finest. A Vintage Port against which all others are judged. Declared by all the major Port Houses. Vintage Ports with their essential three components of fruit, tannin and elegance prodcued. Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, "Wonderful weather for the last three weeks, which was just what was required after the rain. The last weeks of the most perfect weather cleared up any podre (rot) that was threatening. Mostos (musts) look very nice indeed and seem to have plenty of colour even if perhaps lacking a little in guts. Graduations on the whole are very good and the grapes, especially in the early part of the vintage, produced a great deal of wine. Nights have been cool and temperatures have been very satisfactory. We have every hope that some very good wines will have been made."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from James Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The grapes are looking splendid and the prospects for 1964 are good both in regards to quality and quantity. The grapes are a little burnt due to great heat latterly and a little rain within the next 2 or 3 days would help to freshen up the grapes"

An average vintage with a few single quinta declarations.

An outstanding Vintage Port year producing Vintage Ports with superb structure, filled with fruit and tannins. James Symington of the Symington Port Group, "Musts everywhere showed higher than average readings and the colour is excellent. Yields on the other hand are the lowest for many years, some Quintas being as much as 30% down on their '64/5 productions.We are delighted with the prospects for the 1966's. It will be surprising indeed if 1966 does not prove to be an excellent vintage for Port."

A good vintage declared by most shippers producing attractive elegant Vintage Ports and some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "To sum up the 1967 Vintage, there can be little doubt that it all started a little too early in the best areas (for fear of the rain which had marred the cutting of our last three Vintages) and rather ‘fresh’ wines should result, but from all the ‘middle class’ areas excellent and sound wines will have been made, probably above average in quality. Quantity was however low as in '66."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "On the whole, 1968 should have produced good, stout wines, with reasonable to good colour and fine graduations. We can look forward to our December Tastings of the young wines with confidence. The ‘middle quality’ districts have probably produced better than average wines."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The general feeling at the close of this 1969 Vintage is that very much better wines have been produced than was at times thought possible, but 1969 is certainly not going to a particularly outstanding Port Vintage. But as the previous nine Vintages (since '59) have all been good to outstanding, including three ‘Declared’ years, '60, '63 and '66, we are in no position to grumble at what looks like being no better than an ‘average’ year!"

An outstanding Vintage Port year producing Vintage Ports with ripe fruit flavours and concentrated tannins, great balance and structure. James Symington of the Symington Port Group, "It is unlikely that the early high fermentation temperatures will prove to have been dangerously high and it is likely that the 1970 wines will prove to be quite outstandingly good. Their colour is exceptional and very purple and they seem to have plenty of body. Everybody seems delighted with the 1970s and it would surprise nobody if the year produced a Vintage."

A poor vintage not declared by all shippers.

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Those wines made during the early part of the Vintage from the best Quintas, though in very short supply, show great promise and could well prove to be very well balanced and outstanding in quality."

A poor vintage not declared by all shippers.

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Colour appears to have been excellent everywhere and seldom can a Vintage have been made from such uniformly sound and healthy grapes with not a trace of rot or mould from start to finish. While it is of course too early to say if the best Quintas have produced a ‘Vintage 1974’, certainly there is nothing to indicate that anything except very fine wines have been made, but what is an absolute certainty is that even ‘middle class’ districts have produced outstandingly good wines, well above average, and the overall 1974 Port Wine Vintage must prove to be one of the best for very many years, and will go a long way to make up for the frankly rather ‘light’ wines of recent vintages."

A good vintage declared by most shippers producing attractive elegant Vintage Ports. It was the first year that Vintage Ports had to be bottled in Portugal rather than being shipped in cask and bottled in other countries. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The quality of the grapes coming in was uniformly high and the continued hot fine weather increased the graduations. Some outstanding and maybe even ‘Vintage Worthy’ ports have been produced in the Upper Douro."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "In spite of the rain, graduations were uniformly high and the colour of all wines excellent. 1976 will certainly turn out to be a year of dark, full bodied Ports."

An outstanding Vintage Port year producing well structured and balanced Vintage Ports, marked by strong tannins, great elegance and staying power. The best wines have the tannin and structure to age for decades.. Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, "in the Douro we have been fortunate and certainly good average wines have been made, and it is thought a few outstanding lotes (batches) will emerge."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced although in tiny quantities. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Musts showed exceptional colour and body and very dark heavy wines have certainly been made. Not a trace of mould or rot was to be seen on the grapes coming in, and seldom can a Vintage have been made from more uniformly healthy grapes."

A poor year with no declared vintage ports but some excellent single quinta vintage ports were produced.

A good Vintage Port year produced well-balanced, Vintage Ports with backbone, freshness and plenty of fruit. Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "From a price/purchasing angle this vintage has been completely calm and free from the tensions and speculative fever... But with the price of brandy almost double that of last year... the cost price of a pipe of 1980 Port will stand at 22-25% above that of a pipe in '79... from a quality point of view the prospects are excellent and a good stock of young, good quality full-bodied Port wine is now in existence."

A poor year with no declared vintage ports. James Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "It would seem that while there is nothing basically wrong with the 1981 wines, they are on the whole lacking in freshness and bouquet though some of the fermenting cubas [tanks] here at Bomfim did show attractive colour."

A good Vintage Port year with a dozen major shippers declaring and some excellent single quinta vintage ports produced. Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The 1982 Vintage has certainly produced wines of above average quality from every point of view"

A very good Vintage Port year producing very muscular Vintage Ports with a great capacity for ageing. Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated, "our own impression is that certainly above-average wines have been made throughout the Upper Douro and we are sure that some will prove to be outstanding... the fresh nose of the fermenting musts was most noticeable and reminded one to the similar lovely fermenting nose of the 1977s and 1980s... the overall production of the Douro region is some 20-25% down on last year."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced although in tiny quantities. A note from James Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The made wine looks very nice and has a very nice rich purple colour."

A very good Vintage Port year producing Vintage Ports with intense aromas of concentrated fruit and firm tannins. Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, "Never can the grapes have been gathered under better weather conditions than this 1985 vintage now in its last stages. 1985 Vintage will surely prove outstanding. What a pity that only 95,000 pipes were "authorised" this year. All in all, we have every reason to be extremely pleased with the 1985 vintage which has undoubtedly produced well above average quality wines throughout the region."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced although in tiny quantities. A note from Paul Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Concerning the likely quality of the 1986 Port Wine vintage, it can safely be said that the upper Douro has produced good sound wines of above average quality and yields everywhere were surprisingly high."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced although in tiny quantities. A note from Paul Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "While it would appear that the early made wines picked before 21st September will need careful watching owing to the dried up state of the grapes and high fermenting temperatures, the vast bulk of the 1987 Douro Port Wine vintage looks extremely promising, and certainly well above average quality wines have been made throughout the region."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced although in tiny quantities. A note from James Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The quinta [Malvedos] produced only 54 pipes when we had hoped for 130 or so. Throughout the Douro production is tiny compared to normal years. For instance in the Vale de Vilariça Cockburn’s had only 20 pipes when they usually have about 300."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The main crop of Upper Douro grapes has produced wines of excellent quality, dark, full-bodied yet with attractive freshness. And the always more backward quintas lying at higher altitudes, and the whole of the lower Douro and Altos have undoubtedly produced wines this vintage of outstanding quality for their districts."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Paul Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The Douro 1990 Vintage can be summed up in just four words production, enormous quality, excellent. The 1990 Vintage has probably favoured not so much the very early starting quintas, but those whose grapes were picked from the third week of September onwards; however, overall quality promises to be good to excellent."

A very good Vintage Port year producing richly coloured and aromatic Vintage Ports. James Symington of the Symington Port Group, "It was apparent during the vintage that the 1991 wines will be excellent and may well prove to be exceptional. The grapes were in good condition and free from disease; colour and aroma during fermentation were both very good indeed. Tannin levels are also good and it seems that overall the wines will be very well balanced."

A very good Vintage Port year with Taylor Fladgate producing their 100 Parker point vintage Port on their 300th anniversary. A General declaration from Taylor Fladgate but single quintas from the Symington Group. Peter Symington of the Symington Port Group, "in general the fermentations have shown excellent colour and nose. The grapes have been in good condition although yields were 20% below those achieved in '91. This is not surprising considering the dry winter. There has been some uneven ripening due to the winter drought, but in general it can be said that some very good wines have been made."

A disasterous vintage not declared by any shippers. A note from Michael Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Without a doubt, the worst Vintage weather-wise in living memory mine anyway, and this is my 46th consecutive one! "

An outstanding Vintage Port year with monumental Vintage Ports with fabulous rich fruit character and fantastic structure. An outstanding Vintage, probably one of the best of the 20th century. General declaration James Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns such great names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, wrote, " This year will be specially remembered for the excellent floral bouquet of the fermenting musts in all the wineries. This together with their deep purple colour has set up great expectations for a fine vintage."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from James Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "All our finest Quintas, Vesuvio, Graham’s Malvedos, Warre’s Cavadinha and Dow’s Bomfim, have produced excellent wines. Sugar readings were exceptionally high throughout the Douro and thus remarkably rich wines have been made. Bouquet and flavour are outstanding and colour is magnificent in all but the wines made earliest."

A good vintage not declared by most shippers but some excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Peter Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "What is particularly noticeable about the wines is that they are very aromatic and well balanced, although the colour and structure is not as impressive as in the last two years. This was partly due to the large yields achieved in the Douro this year, provoked by the very wet winter."

A very good vintage yielding extremely elegant Vintage Ports. Tannic and balanced Vintage Ports suitable for long ageing. A note from Charles Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "From a winemaking point of view this year was extremely straightforward. The quality of the grapes was good with generally high graduations and little or no rot to be seen. The temperature of the grapes on arrival in the winery was between 18-20° C and therefore little cooling or heating was required in most cases.This was a year of low yields in the vineyards and it would seem, although it is early to say, that it was also a year of low juice extraction in the presses. What was particularly striking this year was the amount of colour produced during fermentation."

A good vintage yielding high quality, highly concentrated Vintage Ports of excellent quality. A few Vintage Port houses declared and excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Charles Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Although still very early to assess quality, wines produced are aromatic and of good colour and should develop well. 1998 will undoubtedly be remembered for producing one of the smallest harvests in the Douro this century."

A good vintage yielding some strongly aromatic and intensely coloured Vintage Ports of excellent quality.There was no general declaration, but excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Charles Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The overall quality is looking extremely encouraging with strongly aromatic and dark wines produced - an excellent sign at this stage."

An outstanding Vintage Port year. A wet '99 harvest was followed by a cold and dry Winter with almost no rain. April and May were very wet, June and July very dry and the first half of August very hot.The resulting wines were big and full bodied with intense colour and very attractive aromas. The turn of the century was heralded by the production of exceptional Vintage Port wines, notably so in the Douro Valley. Peter Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns such great names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, wrote, " I think 2000 will produce very good wines in spite of the earlier weather (spring) conditions not being ideal. The small crop with the wonderful weather conditions during summer resulted in very ripe and perfect fruit."

A good vintage yielding dark and well structured Vintage Ports. There was no general declaration, but excellent single quinta Vintage Ports were produced. A note from Charles Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The 2001 wines are looking extremely promising, with the best wines showing excellent colour and structure"

Challenging weather conditions during the year and during the harvest period resulted in relatively few declarations or bottlings of vintage ports. A note from Charles Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The early made wines, which thankfully are from the best vineyards, escaped the damage done by the rain. However towards the end of the month it was clear that the weather was taking the edge off what could have been a really excellent vintage. There are undoubtedly some very good wines made in the first phase of the harvest."

An outstanding Vintage Port year with all the major port houses declaring. Winemaker Charles Symington (Maker of their main brands, including Graham Vintage Port , Dow Vintage Port , Warre Vintage Port , Cockburn Vintage Port , Quinta do Vesúvio Vintage Port and Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port) stated "Yields were very low as is the norm for the Douro. Barroca made well-structured wines, particularly from the meia-encosta vineyards. The Nacional and Touriga Franca performed particularly well, giving wines with lifted aromas, powerful colour and ripe tannins."

A single Quinta Vintage Port year. Paul Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The 2004 Vintage Ports show intense deep purple-red colour, a factor that was strongly influenced by the August rains that softened the skins and allowed for better colour extraction. The nose is lifted and fresh, again thanks to the cooler August weather. The taste is rich, firm and with good acidity and fine peppery tannins."

A single Quinta Vintage Port year. A note from Charles and Paul Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "While there are still grapes coming into the wineries, it is already clear that some very good wines have been made at the 2005 harvest in the Douro. The sugar graduations dipped for a few days after the rain before climbing steadily back to very satisfactory levels. The grapes filled out and the skins softened. The musts have very good deep purple-black colours and are giving very attractive aromas. In summary, and with picking still taking place at our higher vineyards such as Quinta de Cavadinha, 2005 has proved once again the amazing ability of the vine to overcome very tough conditions."

A single Quinta Vintage Port year. A note from Charles and Paul Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "The Barroca, Touriga Naçional and Roriz all gave good colour and aromas in the fermenting tanks. While the last fermentations are ending at the time of writing, it is clear that there are some very fine tanks and casks of Port and Douro DOC wines from the 2006 harvest amongst the total wine made this year. Overall it can be said that the average quality of wine made is reasonably good throughout the valley."

An outstanding Vintage Port year with 50 houses declaring. Adrian Bridge, CEO of The Fladgate Partnership (producers of Taylors Vintage Port, Fonseca Vintage Port and Croft Vintage Port commented "These are great wines and it is always difficult to compare them to previous years as we believe that each year has its own character, for us, the wines have the noses of the '92s and are probably in the style of the '66." Paul Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns such illustrious names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, added, "The 2007s have some of '94's voluptuous fruit, but there is a more fine acidity and less sweetness than the '94s. I particularly like their racy tannins."

A single Quinta Vintage Port year. A note from Charles and Paul Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "What has been produced looks extremely good, even grapes coming in at this stage from high lying areas are producing some impressive wines."

A very good Vintage Port year with 38 houses declaring. Adrian Bridge, CEO of The Fladgate Partnership (producers of Taylors Vintage Port, Fonseca Vintage Port and Croft Vintage Port commented "Such colour intensity and tannic structure have not been seen for over twenty years. However, the wines also display crisp acidity and wonderfully pure, vibrant fruit. Although they are built for long term ageing, like the great landmark vintages of the past, the 2009s are capable of delivering hedonistic pleasure even at this early stage in their development." His winemaker David Guimaraens stated "We haven’t seen colour intensity and tannic grip like this in over 20 years. The quality of the fruit is impressive and the wines have excellent acidity.’

An outstanding Vintage Port year with all the major port houses declaring. Winemaker Charles Symington (Maker of their main brands, including Graham Vintage Port , Dow Vintage Port , Warre Vintage Port , Cockburn Vintage Port , Quinta do Vesúvio Vintage Port and Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port) described the 2011 Vintage Ports as "characterized by an unusual combination of elegance with power and structure." Paul Symington, CEO, emphasized their marked minerality with schist-edged tannins, and Charles Symington cited an attractive "fragrant wet-earth scent," which could be credited to the success of the Touriga Franca grape. The winemaker David Guimaraens stated "The 2011s stand out for the purity of the fruit and the quality of the tannins, which are silky and well-integrated, but provide plenty of structure,"