Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2016

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2016 is a 20% ABV vintage port from Portugal's Douro Valley, produced as a traditional field blend in a 750ml bottle. This release earned a perfect 100-point score from James Suckling, alongside 98 points from both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast — making it one of the most critically acclaimed ports of the decade.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro Valley, Portugal  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Producer: Taylor Fladgate

Production & Heritage

Taylor Fladgate, founded in 1692, stands among the oldest and most respected port houses in the Douro Valley. The 2016 vintage was produced using traditional foot-treading in classic stone lagares — a labor-intensive method that gently extracts color and tannin from the skins — followed by 20 months of aging in wood. Critically, this is a field blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca, meaning the varieties were interplanted, harvested, and fermented together rather than vinified separately and blended afterward, yielding a more seamlessly integrated wine from the outset.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep purple-black in the glass with a narrow magenta rim. The nose opens with pure, intense woodland fruit — fresh plum and raspberry — lifted by lively accents of green apple and an exotic layer of cedarwood and jasmine that adds striking complexity.

Taste: The entry is marked by an attractive leanness and muscularity uncommon in vintage port. Sinewy, linear tannins integrate seamlessly into the mid-palate, carrying concentrated berry fruit forward without heaviness. A racy acidity energizes the structure, allowing the intense flavors to build progressively rather than hit all at once.

Finish: Long and persistent, with berry fruit intensity continuing to gather momentum through the close. The tannin framework provides grip without bitterness, leaving a clean, reverberating impression of dark fruit and subtle cedar.

How to Drink Taylor Fladgate 2016

Serve slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F), in a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromatics. Given the wine's tannin structure and acidity, decanting for 30 to 60 minutes will allow the layers to open fully. A Port and Tonic — port lengthened with quality tonic water over ice — showcases the 2016's berry intensity in a lighter format. A Ruby Negroni, substituting vintage port for sweet vermouth, takes advantage of the wine's cedarwood and fruit complexity alongside Campari's bitterness. A simple Port Cobbler — port shaken with orange slices and crushed ice — highlights the fresh plum and raspberry character.

Best For

• Gifting a serious wine collector — the perfect 100-point Suckling score makes a strong impression
• Anchoring a dessert course at a formal dinner party
• Laying down in a cellar for long-term aging, given the wine's tannic backbone
• Celebrating a milestone vintage year — ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, or births in 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taylor Fladgate 2016 taste like? It delivers intense woodland berry fruit — plum, raspberry — with exotic cedarwood and jasmine complexity, carried by sinewy tannins and bright acidity rather than sweetness-driven weight.

How does Taylor Fladgate 2016 compare to Fonseca 2016? Both are top-tier 2016 vintage ports from sister houses in the Douro. Wine Advocate critic Robert Parker noted the Fonseca has more pure power, while the Taylor Fladgate displays what he called "the sexiest fruit," making the Taylor the more finesse-driven of the two.

Is Taylor Fladgate 2016 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its linear tannin structure and racy acidity give it an elegance that rewards slow, contemplative sipping, especially after a brief decant.

Where is Taylor Fladgate 2016 made? It is produced by Taylor Fladgate in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal, one of the world's oldest demarcated wine regions, where port production has been regulated since 1756.

What foods pair well with Taylor Fladgate 2016? Dark chocolate truffles complement the berry and cedar notes; Stilton or Roquefort blue cheese creates a classic British pairing; slow-braised short ribs echo the wine's depth; roasted walnuts and dried figs mirror its tannic grip; and crème brûlée with a berry compote bridges the acidity and fruit.

What sizes does Taylor Fladgate 2016 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for vintage port.

Is Taylor Fladgate 2016 worth the price? It positions firmly in the premium tier of vintage port, justified by a perfect 100-point score from James Suckling and near-perfect marks from Wine Spectator (98) and Wine Enthusiast (98) — critical acclaim that places it among the finest ports of any recent vintage.

Why Taylor Fladgate 2016?

A 100-point score from James Suckling is not handed out casually, and the 2016 earned it alongside 98 points from two additional major publications. The field-blend approach — grapes co-fermented rather than blended post-vinification — produces a level of integration that no assemblage can replicate, and traditional foot-treading in stone lagares preserves a texture and tannin quality that modern mechanical pressing rarely achieves. The 2016 vintage in the Douro was widely regarded as exceptional, and Taylor Fladgate's release stands as one of its defining wines. For collectors, it has decades of aging potential; for those drinking now, a short decant reveals a port of remarkable finesse and energy.