Buy This Port That’s Been 125 Years In The Making

Isaac Taylor

In 1896 the Xray Machine had only just been invented. Ford released his Quadricycle, revolutionising transport forever. Queen Victoria had just established herself as the longest reigning monarch in British history at the time. But more importantly, Taylor’s had just processed a small batch of fresh grapes from one of the finest harvests of the 19th century and loaded them into two hand crafted oak casks. They then aged patiently, year after year, through world shaking wars and men landing on the moon. Now 125 years later, at the discretion of the family, this fine port has been bottled and released to the world. Taylor’s has had the luxury of time, and they’ve taken that luxury and put it in a bottle. It has been aptly called Taylor’s Single Harvest Port 1896 and is available to the privileged few wine collectors and connoisseurs. By the time we’re enjoying this beautiful port, it would have aged almost twice the duration of Victoria’s reign.

After over a century, the oak had darkened the port’s colour to a deep mahogany brown, lending it incredible depth and density.

The tasting notes give us a glimpse of what to expect from this rare release:

“Notes of sawn cedarwood blend with hints of dried rose petal, fennel and eucalyptus. Notes of black pepper and vanilla add a warm spicy dimension. On the palate the wine is dense, round and velvety with impressive volume and concentration, the sweetness balanced by a fresh acidity. Mellow flavours of coffee and butterscotch combine with vibrant notes of orange peel and citrus. The finish is endless, the dense mellow flavours remaining on the palate long after the wine has been tasted.”

Only 1,700 examples have been produced, held within a bespoke hand blown crystal decanter and finished by skilled craftsmen. Each is then packaged within a luxury cherrywood case and accompanied by a certificate personally signed by Taylor’s Managing Director, Adrian Bridge. In New Zealand you can find a bottle of Taylor’s Single Harvest Port for $9,499.

Pick up a bottle now from Glengarry.