Taylor’s V.V.O.P.

V.V.O.P stands for Very, Very Old Port, tawny in style and blended from their extensive stock of old cask-aged wines which includes wines form Wiese & Krohn which Taylor’s acquired in 2013. They are a bit cagey about the constituent wines in the blend, suffice to say this is one of their ‘oldest wines released to date’ with wines dating back to ‘before the Second World War’. Taylors V.V.O.P. is bottled in a decanter and comes with a ‘luxury’ wooden case (I always wonder what to do with these things when the wine has been drunk – suggestions please!) and is priced at £750.

Taylor’s Very, Very Old Port *****

Deep red-mahogany at the centre fading to a narrow golden-tawny rim; rich, a touch lifted and quite dense on the nose with a glorious dried fruit compote and a preponderance of dried fig and a touch of autumnal undergrowth; intensely sweet and opulent with a multitude of flavours and sub-flavours that include fig, butterscotch, coffee and spice. The richness is offset by bright acidity and freshness yet retains its focus and intensity. Wow: this is a remarkable wine to sip and contemplate, sip and contemplate, sip and contemplate… 20