Graham is another great port house, producing one of the deepest-colored and sweetest styles of vintage port. Along with Taylor and Fonseca, Graham has probably been the most consistent producer of great port in the post- World War II era. Their tawnys are quite good rather than exceptional, but their vintage ports are truly sublime and sumptuous. The 1970 is a monumental vintage port and one of the greats of the vintage. It begs to be drunk now, although it will last for at least another two decades.
Raisiny, spicy, mellow. Lovely. Vigorous. Lots to it. This should keep going strong for the next 25 years. Drink 2000-2025. Date tasted 22nd Sep 08.
Tasted as part of the Symington's event at the Portuguese embassy in London to launch the Graham's and Warre's 2020 anniversary ports and celebrate 650 years of Anglo-Portuguese friendship. A wet winter with a cold and dry March. Warm weather in April was ideal for flowering. Spring and summer were calm and settled. Rain fell in late August and early September. Harvesting started at Malvedos on 21 September. Good weather throughout the vintage. Winemakers James and Peter Symington. TA 4.05 g/l. 'Drinking history', says Johnny Symington. This was their first declaration of Graham's.
Browning core with tawny rim but still some red in the colour. Lovely herbal scent with hints of bitter orange, plus figs, complex scented dried fruits but not at all raisined, tannins still have a little bit of friction but there's an incredible amount of fruit even now, and silky on the finish. Deep and gently chewy with the intense freshness of spiced bitter orange. Port expert Richard Mayson described it as 'one of the post-war greats'. Fabulous length and unfolds in the glass. Great freshness. (JH)
