Late Bottled Vintage 2020

Taylor Fladgate were pioneers of the LBV category, developed to satisfy the demand for a high quality ready-to-drink alternative to Vintage Port for everyday consumption. Unlike Vintage Port, which is bottled after only two years in wood and ages in bottle, LBV is bottled after four to six years and is ready to drink when bottled.

Taylor Fladgate continues to lead the LBV category of Port worldwide, in spite of the fact that many other shippers now also produce an LBV. The wines used to blend Taylor Fladgate LBV were drawn from a reserve of some of the best full bodied red Ports, produced at the 2019 harvest, from grapes grown on Taylor Fladgate’s own vineyards and on other top properties in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior areas.

 

Notes on the Viticultural Year and Harvest

The 2020 season can be characterised for its extremely low yield resulting directly from the climatic conditions of the year. The extreme conditions of 2020 has similarities to the 2009 and 1820 Harvest, where the sugar levels reached extraordinarily high levels. November and December 2019 saw significant rainfall, 310mm at Pinhão, topping up the ground reserves. The remainder of the dormant period was dry and warm, with high minimum temperatures resulting in the earliest budburst in 18 years, occurring at Pinhão on the 3rd of March.

The four-month period of growth continued warm, and with regular rainfall in March and April ensuring sufficient water reserves to face the rest of the season. The first signs of flowering in the A Grade vineyards were recorded on the 4th May, confirming the advanced development of the vines. Veraison occurred early on the 7th of July, in what was to be recorded as the hottest July since 1931, when records begun. The average temperature for July was 28.19º C compared to the average for 2005-2019 of 24.7º C. August was milder and in the middle of August the vine canopies were remarkably well conserved.

The low yields together with the good water reserves from the winter and spring led to a fast rate a ripening. Between the 17th and 20th August, it rained 21 mm, which further contributed to the ripening, and at the end of August there was a visible change in the conservation of the grapes. This was particularly evident with the Touriga Francesa. On the 5th of September we started the picking at Quinta de Vargellas.

Deep purple with a ruby red rim. The nose is refined and complex, revealing multiple layers of aroma. A fine blend of wild strawberry, cassis, raspberry and plum provides the base for the elegant floral scents, hints of liquorice and rock rose. The palate is voluptuous, supported by tense linear tannis and clean, crisp flavours of damsons and plums which continue into the long finish. A wonderful expression of Taylor Fladgate’s LBV, poised and slightly understated with superb finesse.