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From time to time, I am sent or given samples to taste. Most of the time they are very pleasant surprises and I enjoy tasting them, giving an honest opinion on what I find. Occasionally I taste something that I just have to track down and buy — this was one of those occasions. If you like serious, proper and well-crafted White Port (which is on the drier side of the spectrum) this is a wine to try and buy.

1986 Quevedo Colheita Branco, a cask sample sent for tasting. Burnt ochre in colour with a wide green-toned rim; dark in tone, showing its time spent maturing in wood. So lovely on the nose. There is dried mango and bruised plum, bruised in that way when the flesh has started to darken and tastes of brown sugar - yet blended in with this is a clover honey and a pinch of mace. I love the nose, alluring and inviting and so easy to sniff time and time again. Despite all the promises of honey and sweetness, this is quite dry on the palate — but there is no compromise on the huge range of flavours! There is plenty of ripe fruit, a little orange, a little quince, a touch of balsamic, a hint of white peppercorn — you get the idea. The longer you hold the wine in your mouth, the more flavours come out.

After a while there is so much on the palate you have to swallow the mouthful of wine. Wow!! And then the aftertaste and finish kick into gear. There is cinder toffee, a rich and sweet crêpe Suzette, lingering butterscotch but which is balanced with a delicious black tea. The flavours just keep popping up and then giving way to the next one. Long, rich and immensely satisfying.

White Port used to be kept by the family for drinking by themselves because no-one was interested in buying it. That was the world’s loss and the family’s gain - but the Quevedo family have chosen to share this treasure with us and I am so grateful they have. This is a wonderful example of how a white Port from an overlooked vintage can turn from a spotty chrysalis into the most incredibly beautiful butterfly of a wine. This is a superb glass of Port. 98/100.

I'm a big fan of Quevedo, and I'm delighted they're releasing more of their white tawnies and colheitas. I very much enjoyed the 30 year old white at their lodge a few weeks ago, but the range of options to try there was very impressive and I plan to visit next time I'm there. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to try this!

I believe that the plan is to bottle it this year.

That's a great looking glass of White Port. Quevedo is pretty much impossible to locate in the U.S. so I'd have to order directly from them once it's released. Their 30 y.o. White is 101€, so my guess is this will probably be in the 200€ + range (and then I'd have to add on the 15% tariff and shipping).

Mike J. W. wrote: ↑01:43 Tue 17 Feb 2026 That's a great looking glass of White Port. Quevedo is pretty much impossible to locate in the U.S. so I'd have to order directly from them once it's released. Their 30 y.o. White is 101€, so my guess is this will probably be in the 200€ + range (and then I'd have to add on the 15% tariff and shipping).

Or, of course, just jump on a plane and collect a few bottles. Buy them from Tony and you can have a wonderful day out in the New Forest in southern England.

Hello Alex, thank you for your review of our 1986 White Colheita. My sister Claudia and I are extremely happy with it.

Also, Rich and Mike, thank you for being supportive of our Ports.