Graham's Late Bottled Vintage 2017

Graham's Late Bottled Vintage 2017 is a Douro Valley Late Bottled Vintage Port bottled at 20% ABV in a 750ml format after six years of cask maturation. This special bicentennial release marks Graham's 200th anniversary and earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, alongside 91 points from both Wine Spectator and Wine & Spirits.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro Valley, Portugal  |  2017 Vintage, Bottled 2022  |  Producer: Symington Family Estates

Production & Heritage

Graham's, founded in 1820 and now part of the Symington Family Estates portfolio, has been producing Port in the Douro Valley for over two centuries. The 2017 LBV is a field blend built principally on Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, with supporting contributions from Sousão, Tinta Amarela, and Tinta Barroca. The 2017 harvest was historic — the second driest year on record in the Douro and the hottest of the last four decades — with picking at the estate's renowned Quinta dos Malvedos vineyard beginning on August 28th, the earliest start ever recorded. After fermentation, the wine spent six years maturing in cask before being bottled in 2022 with a bar-top cork and 113 grams per liter of residual sugar, producing a rich, full-bodied LBV that reflects the exceptional intensity of the vintage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Enticing layers of red and black fruit open the nose, followed by plum cake, steeped raisin, and honeysuckle. A signature Graham's mint-eucalyptus character weaves through, along with background notes of bright tropical fruit and fruitcake spice.

Taste: The entry is sumptuous and dense, leading with luscious ripe black fruit and kirsch. The mid-palate broadens with rich raisin flavors, licorice snap, and warming spice from the spirit. Residual sugar rounds the texture without cloying, maintaining a concentrated, layered palate that reflects the extreme heat and drought of the 2017 vintage.

Finish: The finish is long and persistent, carrying dark fruit and subtle mint notes well after the last sip. A gentle tannic grip and lingering spice provide structure and depth.

How to Drink Graham's LBV 2017

Serve slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F), in a small tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromatics. The bar-top cork allows easy resealing, making this a practical bottle to enjoy over several evenings. For cocktails, try a Port Old Fashioned, where the wine's dense fruit and residual sugar replace simple syrup beautifully; a Porto Flip, a classic combination of Port, brandy, and egg yolk that showcases the 2017's velvety texture; or a Port Tonic, a refreshing long serve where the mint-eucalyptus character pairs naturally with tonic water and a sprig of fresh mint.

Best For

• Commemorating a milestone — the bicentennial bottling carries inherent occasion
• After-dinner service alongside a cheese course or chocolate dessert
• Gifting a Port enthusiast or someone born in or connected to the 2017 vintage year
• Building a vertical collection of Graham's LBV releases across different harvests

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Graham's LBV 2017 taste like? Dense black fruit, plum cake, and kirsch dominate the palate, layered with raisin richness, licorice snap, and a distinctive mint-eucalyptus thread characteristic of the Graham's house style.

How does Graham's LBV 2017 compare to Taylor Fladgate LBV? Both are benchmark Late Bottled Vintage Ports from the Douro Valley, but Graham's tends toward a rounder, more fruit-forward profile with signature mint notes, while Taylor Fladgate LBV typically leans toward a firmer, more structured and tannic style. The 2017 Graham's also carries the distinction of being a special bicentennial release from an exceptionally hot and dry harvest.

Is Graham's LBV 2017 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — LBV Port is designed for drinking on release without further cellaring, and the six years of cask aging have already integrated the tannins and spirit, making it immediately enjoyable neat at a cool room temperature.

Where is Graham's LBV 2017 made? Graham's LBV 2017 is produced in Portugal's Douro Valley, with fruit sourced from estate vineyards including the historic Quinta dos Malvedos. The house has been based in the Douro since its founding in 1820 and is managed today by the Symington Family Estates.

What foods pair well with Graham's LBV 2017? Stilton or aged cheddar, where the salt contrasts the wine's sweetness; dark chocolate torte, which mirrors the kirsch and black fruit notes; roasted walnuts, whose bitterness complements the Port's residual sugar; duck liver pâté, where richness meets richness; and dried fruit and nut platters, which echo the raisin and plum cake flavors in the wine.

What sizes does Graham's LBV 2017 come in? Graham's LBV 2017 is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Graham's LBV 2017 worth the price? Graham's LBV sits in the accessible-premium tier of Port — positioned well above basic ruby and tawny Ports but significantly below Vintage and Vintage Ports. With 92 points from Wine Enthusiast and the added significance of a bicentennial release from a historic vintage, it represents strong value within its category.

Why Graham's LBV 2017?

This is not a standard LBV release. The 2017 vintage was shaped by extreme conditions — the driest and hottest season the Douro had experienced in decades — producing grapes of unusual concentration and intensity. Graham's chose this vintage to commemorate their 200th anniversary, and the resulting wine reflects that ambition: dense, layered, and expressive. Endorsed across four major publications with scores ranging from 90 to 92 points, it stands as one of the most critically recognized LBV Ports of recent years and a genuine collector's footnote in the Graham's timeline.