Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port 2018

Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port 2018 is a rich, fortified Port wine from Portugal's Douro Valley, bottled at 20% ABV in a 750ml format. This Late Bottled Vintage expression earned a Gold Medal at the Sommeliers Choice Awards and carries a critics' average of 91 points, reflecting the depth and complexity that define Taylor Fladgate's flagship LBV style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro Valley, Portugal  |  2018 Late Bottled Vintage  |  Producer: Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vinhos SA

Production & Heritage

Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vinhos SA is one of the Douro's most historically significant Port houses, long recognized for advancing winemaking technology in the region. The firm is one of only three Porto producers to pioneer the development of "Port Toes" — piston fermenter techniques designed to extract significantly greater flavor and aroma than conventional pump-over fermentation. The 2018 LBV is a field blend of traditional Douro varietals — Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, and Tinta Barroca — fermented and then fortified with grape spirits to halt fermentation, preserving residual sugar and yielding the characteristic sweetness of Port. True to LBV protocol, the wine aged four to six years in wood before bottling, developing considerable structure and polish without the extended bottle maturation required of a declared Vintage Port.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose is intense and youthful, opening with ripe strawberry jam and dark brambly woodland fruit before lifting into discreet leafy, herbal scents and fresh cedarwood. Underneath, a luxurious redolence of leather and mocha coffee adds depth.

Taste: On the palate, the entry is lush and fruit-forward, with sweet plum and blackcurrant jam filling the mid-palate. Impressive density and vigor emerge as thick, mouth-filling tannins provide both structure and body. Chocolate and cedar weave through the peak, delivering a creamy, polished texture that James Suckling described as "dense and mellow."

Finish: The finish is long and firmly gripped, with taut tannins lending an attractive edge of austerity. A final surge of rich berry fruit flavor lingers well after each sip.

How to Drink Taylor Fladgate LBV

This Port shows its full range of complexity at slightly below room temperature — around 16–18°C (60–65°F) — served in a small tulip-shaped glass that concentrates its aromatic intensity. It drinks beautifully on its own after dinner, though a small amount of decanting can help open up the tannins in its youth.

• Port Tonic: A measure of LBV over ice, topped with premium tonic and a twist of orange — the bittersweet tonic frames the berry fruit and cedar notes.
• Portonic Spritz: Combine with sparkling water, a sprig of fresh mint, and a lemon wheel for a lighter warm-weather serve that highlights the wine's herbal undertones.
• Classic Port & Chocolate Cocktail: Shake with crème de cacao and cream for a rich, dessert-style drink where the LBV's tannin structure keeps sweetness in check.

Best For

• Ending a dinner party with a serious dessert course
• Gifting a wine enthusiast exploring fortified wines
• Building a vertical collection of Taylor Fladgate LBV vintages
• Pairing with a holiday cheese board featuring aged Stilton or cheddar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taylor Fladgate LBV taste like? It delivers a lush core of sweet plum, blackcurrant jam, and chocolate with cedar and herbal undertones, supported by dense, mouth-filling tannins and a long berry-fruit finish.

How does Taylor Fladgate LBV compare to Graham's LBV Port? Both are respected Douro LBV Ports, but Taylor Fladgate's proprietary piston fermenter technology ("Port Toes") tends to yield greater aromatic extraction and tannic grip. Graham's LBV is often perceived as slightly softer and more immediately approachable, while Taylor Fladgate leans toward structure and length.

Is Taylor Fladgate LBV good for sipping neat? Yes — LBV Port is specifically designed for immediate enjoyment without the extended cellaring that Vintage or Vintage Port requires, making this an excellent neat sipper served slightly cool.

Where is Taylor Fladgate LBV made? It is produced by Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vinhos SA in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal, one of the world's oldest demarcated wine regions, with the wines traditionally aged and blended in lodges near Porto.

What foods pair well with Taylor Fladgate LBV? Aged Stilton or Roquefort, where the salt contrasts the port's sweetness; dark chocolate truffles, which mirror the wine's cocoa and berry notes; roasted walnuts, which echo its tannic grip; crème brûlée, whose caramelized sugar plays against the fruit density; and cured meats like serrano ham, whose savory character balances the residual sugar.

What sizes does Taylor Fladgate LBV come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this LBV expression.

Is Taylor Fladgate LBV worth the price? Taylor Fladgate LBV sits in the mid-premium tier for Late Bottled Vintage Ports, positioned well above basic ruby Ports but below declared Vintage and single-quinta bottlings. Its Gold Medal at the Sommeliers Choice Awards and 91-point critics' average suggest strong value for the quality delivered.

Why Taylor Fladgate LBV?

Taylor Fladgate's proprietary Port Toes piston fermentation sets this wine apart at a technical level, extracting a degree of color, flavor, and tannin that conventional pump-over methods rarely achieve. The 2018 vintage reflects that advantage — its density and tannic architecture are notably intense for an LBV. A Gold Medal from the Sommeliers Choice Awards and a 91-point critics' consensus confirm the expression punches above its category. For anyone seeking a Port that bridges the accessibility of a ruby with the seriousness of a Vintage bottling, Taylor Fladgate's 2018 LBV occupies a compelling middle ground.