Decanter

A blend from Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro Superior (the backbone) and Quintas Terra Feita and Junco in the Pinhão Valley. Deep, scented (violets and esteva or gum cistus), minty too, restrained but already quite expressive; lovely pure mint and berry fruit backed by fine-grained tannins, which rise in the mouth to a long, level, linear finish. Not especially big but beautifully poised and very elegant. This has all the qualities of a long-term keeper. It is already magnificent and will be even more so in 15 to 20 years. 7,800 cases produced.

Wine Enthusiast

This is an exceptional vintage, most unusually the third in a row from this producer. Intensely perfumed, richly structured with dark-black fruits, concentrated tannins, it is set for seriously long-term aging. The power of the wine, based around the producer's Quinta da Vargellas, is magnificent.

Vinous

The 2018 Taylor’s Vintage Port comes predominantly from two vineyards: Quinta de Vargellas and Quinta de Terra Feita. It has a classy, aristocratic bouquet, a signature note apropos Taylor’s Vintage: dense black fruit with touches of melted tar, cloves and white pepper. This just builds and builds in the glass. The palate is very harmonious with fine tannins, perfect acidity and very pure with a gentle, almost caressing second half. White pepper interlaces the black fruit with a very precise finish. Pure class.

Tastingbook.com

James Suckling

Very attractive dried fruit with hints of stems and fresh herbs. Violets and dark berries, too. Full-bodied with a dense center palate of fruit and intense, chewy tannins. Yet, there’s polish and refinement to the texture. Relatively dry and precise at the finish. Reminds me of 1980, but with much better polish to it.

Wine Spectator

Remarkably harmonious already, with a beautiful display of unadulterated blueberry, blackberry and plum sauce flavors that fan out, while anise, ganache and cassis accents fill in. So lush and seductive through the finish, it’s nearly drinkable. But just wait. Best from 2030 through 2050. 7,800 cases made.

Revista Adega, Melhor Vinho

A sweet fortified red wine made from old vines at Quinta de Vargellas, Quinta de Terra Feita and Quinta do Junco, aged for around two years in cask before bottling. Complex in both aroma and flavour, it displays violets, sweet spices and fresh herbs surrounding ripe red and black fruit, all balanced by refreshing acidity and firm, beautifully textured tannins that provide structure to its concentrated, sweeter profile.
The finish is full and persistent, with notes of cassis, plums and graphite. Compared with the 2016 and 2017 Vintage Ports, this is the most opulent and rich, reminiscent of the 2009 when young. It is already excellent, enjoyable and approachable now, but should improve further over the next 30 years. Alcohol: 20%.

Ken Gargett - Winepilot

Taylor’s Vintage Port 2018 – A mix of opaque blacks and vibrant purples. Amazingly for such a young Port, it is surprisingly approachable, more so than either of the preceding years. A lovely soft, plush vintage Port and undoubtedly worthy of declaration. The dominant flavors here are various incarnations of great chocolate. Molten chocolate, black forest gateaux, chocolate mud cake. Dates, coffee beans, and plums as well. There is a hint of spirit apparent at this early stage but it is surrounded by delicious fruit. Very fine tannins. It has serious length though not that of either the ’16 or ’17. A port with a good 30 years ahead of it and there is room to improve. 96.

Robert Parker

The 2018 Vintage Port is a field blend aged for approximately 18 months in very old and large wooden vats. It comes in with 100 grams of residual sugar. This is the third straight declaration (2016, 2017 and this 2018) of a classic Vintage Port for Taylor's. When last seen, this was very good. Let's check in. This is an accessible Taylor's that drinks fairly well now, but it still shows some power. Most of all, though, the fruit is sensational. It's utterly delicious, with the young fruit ripe and rolling over the palate. This is coming along fast, so that with decanting, you might even drink it now, but that would be an error. It is not coming close to showing everything it has. In the back of my head, I am wondering a little about how fast this is coming around, so it seems, but it does so many things well, I can't be churlish right now. Let's see in time if it is going to be a long-haul wine, as I expect Taylor's to be.

Vinho Grandes Escolhas

Revista de Vinhos

Jancis Robinson

Adrian Bridge, CEO of The Fladgate Partnership explains the decision to declare 2018 a vintage, in addition to 2011, 2016 and 2017: 'Although a Classic declaration normally only happens about three times a decade, the exceptional run of years has meant that Taylor’s has been able to make a third in a row. This is very unusual but our principle is that we declare a Classic Vintage when the quality is there. This is dictated by the year, not by any other consideration. All our properties are farmed so that every grape has the potential to become Vintage Port. In 2018, overall conditions were excellent but in the Douro Superior they were exceptional. Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas produced outstanding wines. In view of the current economic situation, we will bottle in July as usual but will not release the wine until early 2021.'
Blackish crimson. Neat-looking. Pepper and herbs on the nose – almost makes you want to sneeze. And again the voluptuous fruit almost kids you that you could drink this now but instead there is a massive charge of fine tannin underneath. This is definitely not for sipping now but is a monument for the future. Rather dry and refined as opposed to opulent. (Go to Fonseca Guimaraens for opulence.) Very long, dry and savoury overall within the vintage port canon. Jancis Robinson

Vivino

(216 bedømmelser, 07-10-2026)