Graham's Vintage Port 2016

Graham's Vintage Port 2016 is a declared vintage port from the Douro Valley, Portugal, bottled at 20% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 99 points by James Suckling — the highest score among the 2016 declared vintage ports — this release represents one of the most critically acclaimed expressions from a house founded in 1820.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro Valley, Portugal  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Producer: W & J Graham's (Symington Family Estates)

Production & Heritage

W & J Graham's has been producing port since 1820 and is now part of Symington Family Estates, the family-owned group that also manages Dow's, Warre's, and Cockburn's. The 2016 vintage is a field blend dominated by 42% Touriga Franca and 37% Touriga Nacional, sourced from four estate vineyards: Quinta dos Malvedos (41%), Quinta do Tua (25%), Quinta do Vale de Malhadas (18%), and Quinta da Vila Velha (16%). Fermentation takes place in robotic lagares — an innovation developed by the Symington family — whose pistons are calibrated to replicate the pressure of a 70 kg person treading grapes, allowing precise extraction and temperature control. After fortification, the wine aged for 18 months in used oak vats before being bottled unfiltered.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated black-fruit marmalade and burnt orange peel — a hallmark of the Graham's house style. Deeper inhalation reveals layers of mint, eucalyptus, and dark chocolate.

Taste: The palate entry is lush and velvety, carrying waves of plum, blackberry, and boysenberry compote. Mid-palate, dark chocolate intensity and rich berry concentration build alongside fine-grained tannins that provide structure without harshness. A bold streak of licorice weaves through the core fruit.

Finish: Long, bold, and grippy, with spicy tannins and persistent dark chocolate. The fruit lingers with remarkable freshness, promising decades of development in the cellar.

How to Drink Graham's 2016

This is a serious vintage port built for contemplative sipping. Serve slightly below room temperature — around 16–18°C — in a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromatics. If opened young, decanting for two to three hours helps the wine open up. While vintage port is primarily a sipping wine, it has classic cocktail and pairing applications: a Port and Tonic with a twist of orange zest showcases the wine's citrus-edged fruit; a Porto Flip (port, brandy, egg yolk, nutmeg) highlights its chocolate richness; and a simple Port Cobbler over crushed ice with seasonal berries makes a striking after-dinner serve.

Best For

• Cellaring for a milestone event — birthdays, anniversaries, or retirements tied to the 2016 vintage year
• Gifting a serious wine collector or port enthusiast
• Anchoring a vintage port vertical tasting alongside other declared years
• Pairing with a cheese or chocolate course at a formal dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Graham's 2016 taste like? Graham's 2016 delivers concentrated plum, blackberry, and boysenberry flavors layered with dark chocolate and licorice, supported by firm yet velvety tannins. The house signature of burnt orange and eucalyptus adds complexity throughout.

How does Graham's 2016 compare to Dow's 2016? Both are produced under the Symington Family Estates umbrella and scored among the top ports of the 2016 vintage, but they differ in style: Graham's leans toward opulence and concentrated dark fruit, while Dow's is typically drier and more structured. Several critics singled out Graham's as the strongest blend in the Symington stable for this vintage.

Is Graham's 2016 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — vintage port is designed to be savored on its own, and the 2016's combination of fruit concentration, fine tannins, and aromatic complexity makes it an exceptional neat pour, especially after decanting.

Where is Graham's 2016 made? Graham's 2016 is produced in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal, drawing fruit from four estate quintas: Malvedos, Tua, Vale de Malhadas, and Vila Velha. The wine is vinified and aged at Graham's Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia before bottling.

What foods pair well with Graham's 2016? Stilton or aged blue cheese mirrors the wine's intensity and sweetness; dark chocolate torte echoes its cocoa notes; roasted walnuts and dried figs complement its concentrated fruit; slow-braised lamb with rosemary bridges the herbal eucalyptus character; and crème brûlée provides a textural contrast to the firm tannins.

What sizes does Graham's 2016 come in? Graham's Vintage Port 2016 is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, with some markets also carrying 375ml half-bottles.

Is Graham's 2016 worth the price? Graham's 2016 positions as a premium declared vintage port — the highest tier in the port hierarchy — and its critical reception (99 points from James Suckling, 98 from both Decanter and Wine Spectator, 97 from Wine Enthusiast) places it among the most decorated ports of the decade, offering strong value relative to other top-scoring vintage declarations.

Why Graham's 2016?

The 2016 vintage is one of the most universally praised port declarations in recent memory, and Graham's stands at the very top of the field with a near-perfect 99-point score from James Suckling alongside 98 points from both Decanter and Wine Spectator. The blend draws on the full depth of Graham's estate portfolio — four distinct quintas contributing different elevations, exposures, and soil profiles — unified through the precision of robotic lagar fermentation. Bottled unfiltered after 18 months in oak, this is a port built for serious cellaring, with critics suggesting a drinking window stretching decades into the future. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a benchmark expression of modern Douro winemaking, this release sets the standard.