2017 Croft Vintage Port
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The 2017 Vintage Port is a field blend aged for approximately 20 months in French oak. It comes in with 97 grams of residual sugar. This was only seen before bottling previously. Now, with some bottle aging, it looks super, superior to the 2016, also reviewed, and a fine 2017. It is, of course, extremely young. It's tight but not astringent (at least with decanting); the fruit is as if just crushed, and it is beautifully balanced. This is not even close to showing all it has. Throw it in the cellar. You can drink it now, but you'll just be wasting it. Right now, this and the 2016 are close, but I predict this will pull ahead with every passing year.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Croft Vintage Port was picked from August 31, the earliest since 1945. Deep purple in color, the nose is initially standoffish, checking you out before opening intense black plum and crushed violet aromas, orange blossom and veins of Seville orange marmalade. Yet it is extremely well focused, disguising the warmth of the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with a luxuriant, velvety smooth opening that lacquers the mouth. Beautifully balanced, effortless even, it gently seems to roll across the senses towards its surprisingly controlled, clove and bayleaf tinged finish that leaves a discrete tingling sensation on the tongue. Superb and probably one of the 2017 Vintage Ports that will drink sooner than others. Total production is 3,900 cases.
Blueberry, blackberry and dried violets on then nose that follow through to a full body, firm and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. This shows grip and some green, wet earth undertones on the finish. Stuctured. Try in 2026.
At least 50% of the fruit is from Roêda Serikos vineyard, a south-west-facing terrace on the right bank near Pinhão. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca. TA 4.71 g/l, pH 3.78, RS 101 g/l. 3,900 cases. Deep purple with wide purple rim. The most red-fruited of all the Fladgate 2017s so far but lots of sweet black cherry too. Much more gentle on the palate than the Fonseca and Taylor's and less obvious length, or at least much softer and chocolatey as it fades on the palate. This is all about the fruit and has lovely freshness and lively fruit purity. Mouth-watering finish of sweet-sour cherry flavours. (JH) 18 Drink 2026-47