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1896 Taylor Single Harvest (bottled 2021)
Taylor's have developed a happy knack of finding ancient and delicious Ports which have been maturing for decades - or even centuries - in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia or in the Douro. This is the latest release by Taylor of their stock of ancient wines and it is decidedly worthy of its exalted status, although it's £4,000+ price tag reflects its rarity and age.

To the eye, it looks like nothing particularly special, reminding me of a 40YO tawny I tasted the previous night but when you put your nose into the glass it really starts to set itself up as something extraordinary. There is a deep and rich balsamic vinegar core to the nose of the wine, but with some unexpected fruit with the two combining to remind me very much of the pomegranate vinegar dressing which you find in Middle Eastern cuisine. The promised richness follows onto the palate where the thick sweetness of ripe dates is balanced by an extraordinary level of acidity, yet deep within this sweet-sour battle are undertones of dried orange zest and dried sour cherry. The intensity continues on the aftertaste and finish, a long and complex set of flavours which move over the course of 3-4 minutes from dates and molasses to marmalade to a blonde-roasted espresso. This is a truly exceptional wine. 99/100. Tasted 29 June 2021.

As with many of Taylor's recent releases of old Tawnies, this Port was acquired when they purchased Wiese & Krohn in 2014. It's the same wine that Krohn sold in a 2-pack with their 1896 Colheita Branco. IIRC the price of the 2-pack was around 8000 EU.

The "Taylor" 1863 is also a Krohn, as are all of the Single Harvest Tawnies from 1964-1970. (At least... there may be more coming that I haven't heard about yet.)

I wonder what they are planning on doing with the white colheita?

JacobH wrote: ↑08:21 Wed 30 Jun 2021 I wonder what they are planning on doing with the white colheita?

I suspect that they'll release it some day, probably once they've sold all of the Tawny. Wouldn't be prudent to make it too obvious what these actually are.

I've never had any of the 3, but I've heard that all 3 are pretty spectacular as Alex's 99 points indicates.

And to be very fair to the Fladgate Partnership, they have mentioned in their briefings that this is one of the wines they acquired through the purchase of Krohn.

Glenn E. wrote:
The "Taylor" 1863 is also a Krohn, as are all of the Single Harvest Tawnies from 1964-1970. (At least... there may be more coming that I haven't heard about yet.)

You are incorrect that all SHT’s came from Krohns stock. I’ve specially asked Adrian this and he told me which came from Original Taylor’s stock and which from Krohn’s.

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑02:32 Fri 02 Jul 2021

Glenn E. wrote:
The "Taylor" 1863 is also a Krohn, as are all of the Single Harvest Tawnies from 1964-1970. (At least... there may be more coming that I haven't heard about yet.)

You are incorrect that all SHT’s came from Krohns stock. I’ve specially asked Adrian this and he told me which came from Original Taylor’s stock and which from Krohn’s.

Yes, you've said this before. I don't trust Adrian to be honest with you because I've witnessed him "spinning" answers in the past, even when there was no reason to do so.

I have just seen a retail price of £2,900 per bottle IB, interesting that they dropped the price from the reported price tag.

hadge wrote: ↑15:46 Mon 05 Jul 2021 I have just seen a retail price of £2,900 per bottle IB, interesting that they dropped the price from the reported price tag.

Perhaps it is a sale for the Summer? Are you planning on stocking up?

JacobH wrote: ↑16:27 Mon 05 Jul 2021

hadge wrote: ↑15:46 Mon 05 Jul 2021 I have just seen a retail price of £2,900 per bottle IB, interesting that they dropped the price from the reported price tag.

Perhaps it is a sale for the Summer? Are you planning on stocking up?

I was thinking that a case would be good!

hadge wrote:

JacobH wrote: ↑16:27 Mon 05 Jul 2021

hadge wrote: ↑15:46 Mon 05 Jul 2021 I have just seen a retail price of £2,900 per bottle IB, interesting that they dropped the price from the reported price tag.

Perhaps it is a sale for the Summer? Are you planning on stocking up?

I was thinking that a case would be good!

A case of 6 or 12?

Glenn E. wrote: ↑16:14 Fri 02 Jul 2021

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑02:32 Fri 02 Jul 2021

Glenn E. wrote:
The "Taylor" 1863 is also a Krohn, as are all of the Single Harvest Tawnies from 1964-1970. (At least... there may be more coming that I haven't heard about yet.)

You are incorrect that all SHT’s came from Krohns stock. I’ve specially asked Adrian this and he told me which came from Original Taylor’s stock and which from Krohn’s.

Yes, you've said this before. I don't trust Adrian to be honest with you because I've witnessed him "spinning" answers in the past, even when there was no reason to do so.

Some has also come from Messias where TFP have a small shareholding (I believe) - the 1971 release waiting approval is from a completely different source.