W & J Graham's 1997 Vintage Port

This excellent Vintage has an intense colour with a deep, purple rim. On the nose shows a luscious ripeness with attractive floral aromas and undertones of black cherry. On the palate, a typically Graham's full-bodied structure, packed with layers and layers of fruit and firm tannins. The very long, accomplished finish indicates a great Vintage for long-term ageing. Graham's wines come primarily from its own Quinta dos Malvedos near Tua and Quinta das Lages in the Rio Torto. Two others, privately owned by a member of the Symington family, Quinta da Vila Velha and Quinta de Vale de Malhadas, also supply Graham with finest quality grapes. All four Quintas are among the best in the upper Douro valley. Graham's also buys grapes from selected farmers in the finest districts. Some of these farmers have been selling their grapes to Graham's for generations. (12 x 75 cl)

Description to follow.

Quinta dos Malvedos is rated among the finest vineyard properties in the Alto Douro. It lies on the north bank of the River Douro and its south-facing vineyards and very consistent climate ensure that in nearly every year the property will produce wines of first-class quality. The whole vineyard has the highest 'A' classification awarded by the controlling authorities. In 'declared' Vintage years the wines of Malvedos form the fundamental part of the blend which makes up Graham's Vintage Ports. In many other years when there is not enough top quality wine for Graham's to declare a Vintage, the wine of Malvedos is nevertheless so fine that it is bottled on its own, unblended, when two years old and left to mature in bottle like other Vintage Ports. Unlike declared Vintages, Malvedos Vintage Port is normally only shipped when ready for drinking by which time it is usually at least ten years old, although it continues to improve for many years more. Graham's have been offering Malvedos Vintage Port since 1951 and recent years to have been singled out for bottling include 1987, 1988 and 1990. Malvedos Vintage Port throws a similarly heavy crust to Graham's Vintage Ports and careful decanting is therefore required prior to serving. As with a declared Vintage, careful decanting is essential prior to serving. (6 x 75 cl)

Six Grapes is one of Graham's original Port blends and is thus one of the Company's oldest marks. It is a very full-bodied, luscious wine drawn from the same vineyards as Graham's Vintage Ports. Blended from two or three years' harvests, the wine is an average of five to six years old when bottled. It follows the Graham's Vintage style very closely, although it has softened more quickly by being matured in oak casks rather than in bottle. Its extremely rich fruity style makes it a truly superb, rare and appealing Port. The rather curious depiction on the bottle of bunches of grapes has always been used to identify the "Six Grapes" blend. (6 x 75 cl)

W & J Graham's Vintage Port from Portugal, Douro by W & J Graham's (12 x 75 cl)

W & J Graham's Vintage Port from Portugal, Douro by W & J Graham's (12 x 75 cl)

W & J Graham's Vintage Port from Portugal, Douro by W & J Graham's (12 x 75 cl)

W & J Graham's Vintage Port from Portugal, Douro, Oporto by W & J Graham's (12 x 75 cl)

W & J Graham's Vintage Port from Portugal, Douro, Oporto by W & J Graham's (12 x 75 cl)