Decanting
Vintage Port forms a natural deposit in the bottle and should be decanted. Stand the bottle upright a few hours before decanting to allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle.
Select Year
2024
Storage
Continues to improve for decades after bottling. The bottle should be kept lain down in a cool place, ideally at a temperature below 16ºC.
Serving temperature
Serve at 16ºC to 18ºC. Vintage Port is best drunk one to two days after opening.
About the Wine
Taylor's Port is proud to announce the release of its new Taylor's Sentinels Vintage Port, a unique blend crafted from wines produced on Taylor historic properties in and around the Pinhão Valley. This central region of the Douro Valley is one of the most historically significant areas for Port wine, recognized as the source of the finest Ports since the inception of the Port trade.
The four estates - Terra Feita, Junco, Casa Nova, and Eira Velha - are all located within the original 1756 demarcation and were awarded feitoria status, the highest classification for Port vineyards. The name Sentinels is inspired by the granite pillars, known as “marcos de feitoria”, which stand guard along the demarcation line that separates the highest quality Port areas, and this is where many of the Taylor's estates are situated. A total of 335 stone posts were placed between 1758 and 1761 to mark this prestigious area.
Each of these historic properties offers distinct characteristics in terms of altitude, orientation, sun, wind exposure, and mix of grape varietals. Despite their individuality, they share a distinctive 'Pinhão Valley' style - rich, deep, and powerfully fruity—that ensures a harmonious blend while each contributes uniquely to the wine's overall complexity and aroma.
NOTES ON THE 2024 VITICULTURAL YEAR AND HARVEST
The winter of 2023/24 brought a welcome return of rainfall for the second consecutive year. Although temperatures were relatively mild, an early budburst on 5th of March set the season off to an early and promising start. Spring and early summer was cool with occasional useful light rainfalls, arriving at well-spaced intervals that supported healthy vineyard growth. From July onwards the weather settled into a long, dry period that extended through to the end of harvest. Veraison began on 18th of July, and the mild summer conditions encouraged a steady, even ripening cycle.
As temperatures rose towards the end of July, August provided warm conditions, with consistently high night-time temperatures that put the vines under some stress. Crucially, at the end of August temperatures moderated, with slightly cooler days and notably cooler nights throughout September. These conditions were ideal for the final stages of ripening, and to achieve full phenolic maturity.The harvest began with very attractive fruit from varieties such as Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, while Touriga Francesa and Tinta Cão benefited from a little additional time on the vine to achieve full perfection. The combination of the field blends, co-fermentation, have produced ports which are going to be very complex and memorable. In general, the 2024 ports show very good freshness of fruit, lovely flavours, very fine tannins and great acidity.
Tasting Notes
Deep obsidian purple core with a narrow mulberry rim. The nose bursts with powerful woodland fruit, layered with rich blackcurrant, dark plum and ripe cherries that leap from the glass. Subtle notes of black cherry interwoven with delicate hint of rose petal. The fruit shows elegance and restraint. On the palate, it reveals remarkable freshness and energy with an appealing precision and lift. Lavendar and gentle herbal tones all complement the flavours of damson and plums, building steadily to a long and persistent finish.
