NEW YORK, February 5, 2025 – Taylor Fladgate Port announces the release of Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port 2019 (SRP $70.00), a single-quinta vintage Porto from one of the most revered vineyards in the world: Quinta de Vargellas. The 2019 Quinta de Vargelles is available for purchase in the US, beginning this month.
“Taylor Fladgate vintage Ports are recognized worldwide as highly collectible and age-worthy and the 2019 harvest produced excellent wines with extensive longevity to age in bottle,” says Adrian Bridge, Managing Director of Taylor Fladgate. “Quinta de Vargellas 2019 Port shows the elegance and composure that we associate with this great estate. Taylor Fladgate has always offered Single Quinta Vintage Port as a mature Port. By putting these aside, we are looking to satisfy demand for such Ports in 2029/2030.”
NOTES ON THE 2019 VITICULTURAL YEAR
After a warm and dry period of dormancy, the vineyard cycle began slightly early with budburst on March 9, about a week ahead of the usual calendar. Overall, the growing season was drier and cooler than average although the usual April rains were quite heavy, with around 3.9 inches of precipitation when grapes began to color (véraison) at around the usual time in mid-July. Although the ripening season began with high temperatures, the weather in the critical month of August was cooler than average with some rainfall on the 25th and 26th to balance the ripening of the crop. The relatively cool conditions and absence of peaks of high temperature have translated into the elegance, crisp acidity and ‘singing’ fruit found in the 2019 wines. Harvesting of red grapes in the eastern areas of the Douro began in hot weather on September 4 and at Pinhão on the 14th. The crop was perfectly healthy and in excellent condition although yields were almost a tenth lower than the 10-year average. The wines were attractively aromatic, with a high natural acidity and greater than normal color intensity.
TASTING NOTES
Deep purple with a narrow red rim and magenta highlights, this wine offers elegance and finesse. The nose features bright raspberry and cherry fruit with subtle herbal and floral notes. Surrounding this core of fine fruit are subtle botanical notes of bracken and underwood and scents of wild herbs and flowers. The palate is compact and racy with vibrant acidity and fine tannins.
“The 2019 harvest season was drier and cooler than average,” says David Guimaraens, Taylor Fladgate’s Head Winemaker. “The fine, ‘singing’ fruit that is the signature of the 2019 vintage re-emerges on the palate and extends into the long finish. As always with Vargellas, it is the distinctive fruit quality that stands out, combining focus and definition with a seductive complexity.”
ABOUT TAYLOR FLADGATE
Taylor Fladgate is one of the first historic Port Wine houses, having been established in 1692. As a family company since its foundation, it specializes solely in the production of the highest quality Port Wine, from the planting of the vines to the production, aging and bottling of the wines. The family has shown its commitment to the future of Port Wine in its determination to protect the unique nature of the Douro Valley region, by promoting responsible and sustainable viticulture. The company is best known for its elegant and long-lived vintage ports, which are amongst the most sought-after and collectable, coming from the famous Quinta de Vargellas vineyard and two others: Terra Feita and Junco. The house created L.B.V. (Late Bottled Vintage), a style which the company pioneered and of which it continues to be the principal producer; it also pioneered Dry White Port when it invented Chip Dry, and also launched the first Single Quinta Vintage Port. Taylor Fladgate is also recognized as the most important producer of Aged Tawnies and possesses one of the most extensive reserves of Port Wines aged in cask. For more information about Taylor Fladgate, visit https://www.taylor.pt/us.
ABOUT KOBRAND CORPORATION
Founded in 1944, Kobrand Corporation remains one of the few family-owned wine and spirits companies in the United States. Kobrand’s portfolio was meticulously selected according to a single, unerring principle: quality. This continued focus has made the Kobrand name synonymous with wines and spirits of the highest caliber for 75 years. Kobrand is the exclusive agent for an outstanding selection of fine wines, spirits, and sakes from key regions around the world, including the United States, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Japan, Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand. For more information about Kobrand and the portfolio, visit http://www.Kobrandwineandspirits.com.
