Winemaker Notes
Winter was wetter and colder than the 30-year average. After budbreak in mid-March, a warm, wet April prompted growth. In May, dry conditions in the eastern Douro lasted until late August. Vines drew on winter ground water and bunches developed in ideal conditions. Véraison came a bit early. Mild weather in June-July changed with a heat wave in second half of June. August was hot and dry. Late August rain helped to balance ripening. In the Douro Superior, Quinta de Vargellas was the first Taylor Fladgate property to begin harvest. Grapes showed high sugar levels with excellent acidity. In Pinhão Valley, Quinta do Junco, the upper Quinta de Terra Feita, and the lower Terra Feita were picked mid-September. Long fermentations allowed complete extraction; musts displayed intense color and powerful fruit.

Critical Reviews
96-98 points Wine Advocate
The 2011 Taylor’s Vintage 2011 has a multifaceted, Pandora’s Box of a nose that is mercurial in the glass: cassis at first before blackberry and raspberry politely ask it to move aside, followed by wilted rose petals and Dorset plum. Returning after one 45 minutes that nose has shut up shop. The palate is sweet and sensual on the entry, plush and opulent, with copious black cherries, boysenberry and cassis fruit, curiously more reminiscent of Fonseca! It just glides across the palate with a mouth-coating, glycerine-tinged finish that has a wonderful lightness of touch, demonstrating how Vintage Port is so much more accessible in its youth nowadays. But don’t let that fool you into dismissing the seriousness or magnitude of this outstanding Taylor’s. (NM) (6/2013)

97 points Wine & Spirits
The greatness of this wine is subtler and more hidden than many of its siblings in 2011. It’s skinnier than Fonseca, austere in a Taylor--Douro Superior way, clouding the brain with schist dust before revealing its more sensuous blue-fruit richness. The tarry density and umami tannins are slow to yield what becomes seemingly endless flavor, dynamic and sleek. A pure revelation of the Douro, this has the stamina to outlive many of its peers in a long-lived vintage. Inner quote mark (12/2013)

97 points Wine Enthusiast
There is an initial smoky character, followed by a burst of ripe, rich black fruits, giving the wine weight and a dark, brooding core. Black plum and berry fruits, considerable acidity and a delicate final perfume. For serious aging. *Ranked #10 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2013* (RV) (11/2013)

97 points Wine Spectator
Powerful, featuring concentrated dark plum and spicy cherry flavors that are finely balanced, showing notes of raspberry preserves. The mocha and wild herb accents are interwoven and supported by powerful tannins. The finish offers intense grip and violet hints. *Collectible* (KM) (10/2013)

96 points James Suckling
Very pretty pure fruit on the nose: crushed berries and minerals with a licorice and graphite undertone. Full body, medium sweet with chewy tannins that are polished and firm. This shows balance and harmony, but remains powerful, muscular and toned.  (5/2013)

96 points Int'l Wine Cellar
Knockout nose combines smoky dark fruits, exotic flowers, spices, dried lavender, minerals and a balsamic nuance. Hugely concentrated, dense and primary but with penetrating minerality giving finesse and precision to the mid-palate. Extremely fine-grained, classy wine with fresh acidity and restrained sweetness. The firmly tannic, mineral-tinged finish features outstanding perfumed persistence and the structure and balance for decades of development in the cellar. Still, this is not as austere in its youth as some recent vintages. (ST) 96+ (5/2014)

Jancis Robinson
This wine was placed immediately after the super-opulent Fonseca in the BFT tasting which may have been a mistake. This is restrained. Well mannered, discreet, keeps its powder very dry. But on the palate it opens out in the most superb, Burgundian peacock's tail sort of way. Another wonderful wine from The Fladgate Partnership. Utterly different from the Fonseca. Upright and straight backed. But irreproachable. My gums are virtually impervious to sugar and acid but this wine set them vibrating a bit. Dried prunes ground up with rocks. 19.5/20 points (JR)

Portugal, Douro
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
20% Alcohol

An adult signature is required upon delivery, so please keep that in mind when shipping this gift to friends, family and peers.
There is no minimum.
Bottles are in perfect condition.