Decanting
This wine is ready to drink and does not require decanting.
Select Year
1976 Single Harvest
Storage
The bottle should be kept upright, protected from direct sun light and at a cool and constant temperature.
Serving temperature
The wine benefits from being served slightly chilled, between 12ºC to 16ºC.
Pairing suggestions
Combines well with flavours of figs, almonds and caramel. It is an excellent complement for a crème brûlée or a plate of wild strawberries. It may also be appreciated on its own, at the end of the meal, with walnuts or dried fruit.
Select Year
About the Wine
Taylor’s holds one of the most extensive reserves of very old cask aged Port of any producer. They include a collection of rare Single Harvest Ports. These are Ports from a single year which age to full maturity in seasoned oak casks and display the year of harvest on the label. Taylor’s has decided to make a limited release, each year of a Single Harvest Port made 50 years previously. The tenth in the series is the 1976 Single Harvest.
Notes on Viticultural Year and Harvest
An exceptionally dry winter was followed by a hot summer, with conditions bordering on drought. Springs and wells that had always provided water dried up for the first time in living memory. There had not been a truly rainy winter since 1972, and the prolonged drought began to affect the vines, with some of the older plants unable to survive the summer. Rain finally arrived at the end of August, and September was cool, with light rainfall. The harvest began on 23 September, with fully ripe bunches free from disease. Sugar levels were high in both the Upper and Lower Douro, while cooler temperatures favoured slow and steady fermentation. However, yields were more than 30% lower than last year due to the drought. On 29 September, persistent rain caused some rot, especially in the Lower Douro.
Tasting Notes
Rich chestnut in colour, with a broad amber rim. An elegant, floral, beautifully perfumed nose with an opulent core of wild honey, treacle, tea leaf and a delicate red cherry compote, delivers wonderful freshness. Cedary cigar box aromas, notes of wild rosemary, thyme and a kiss of fresh mint add a discreet level of complexity. The palate is luscious and lifted by a fresh acidity with flavours of blood orange marmalade, dried figs, apricots and rum babá. The finish is bright, lean, fresh and harmonious. A superb Single Harvest Tawny Port.
