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Mentzendorff & Co., importers of the fine products of the The Fladgate Partnership, presented the 2009 declarations at Quo Vadis in Soho, 10:00 to 16:30 Friday 6th May 2011.

• Review of the event as a whole;
• 2009 Taylor;
• 2007 Taylor;
• 2003 Taylor;
• 2000 Taylor;
• 2009 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha;
• 2007 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha;
• 2004 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha;
• 2000 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha;
• 2009 Fonseca;
• 2007 Fonseca;
• 2003 Fonseca;
• 2000 Fonseca;
• 2009 Croft;
• 2007 Croft;
• 2003 Croft;
• 2000 Croft;
• 2009 Skeffington;
• 2007 Skeffington;
• 2003 Skeffington.

Also see the evening’s entertainment, Friday 6 May 2011, London welcomes g-man.

In addition to the wines listed by JDAW above, Taylor Fladgate also had the Croft wines from 2009, 2007, 2003 and 2000 on show.

In summary, I found the 2009 wines to be very impressive. There is a real intensity and purity of fruit to them that is pure, sweet ripeness. This contrasts with the 2007s which were very much more floral and herbaceous. Of the 5 TFP wines on show I was extremely impressed by the Taylor, preferred the Croft over the Fonseca and thought the Skeffington to be delicious - perfect for early drinking if the price is right.

I struggle with the VVV. There is intense fruit and fierce tannin but I always find this wine a little closed on the nose for my preference and to have a slight hollowness when taking a sip before the flavours arrive later. VVV is one of those wines that I look forward to following over the years so that I can understand how a port can develop and change from these early impressions.

And if you want to know, I shall be looking to buy some Taylor on release and possibly some Skeffington, but will pass on the others for the moment.

AHB wrote:In addition to the wines listed by JDAW above, Taylor Fladgate also had the Croft wines from 2009, 2007, 2003 and 2000 on show.

My mistake fixed.

Do any attendees have any thoughts as to which is the preferred format for these releases: magnums, halves, or bottles?

I didn't get through all of the wines unfortunately due to me arriving late.

the 2004 Taylor VVV was most impressive for it's readiness to drink now.

I personally love the 2009 Taylors, followed by the croft.

The VVV was very restrained for me.

The Fonseca felt weird, it had all of the components but it just felt disjointed. Uncle tom mentioned that it just needs some time int he bottle and I'm inclined to agree as bottle shock may have played into the taste.

Across the board, I felt the 09s had much better intensity and purity of fruit compared to the 07s of similar houses. Even mouth feel, the 09s felt richer then the 07s.

I did sneak in some of the 03s and the fonseca 00.

Those were my other two favorite out of all the 03s I did taste.