WARRE'S VINTAGE PORTS
DOURO, PORTUGAL
Why Buy: Friends, this is what collecting is all about: 6 vintage ports (including two astounding 98-pointers and two 95-pointers) that attest to the sheer mastery of an estate that, for more than 350 years, has delivered some of the most aristocratic and perfumed ports the world has ever known. Each Warre's release is a time capsule and a treasure, and trust us, these great wines only get better and better with time.
What They're Saying: Decanter dug deep into its bag of superlatives for the 2016 and 2017 vintages, awarding each a staggering 98 points. Of the 2016: "Lovely, supple and seamless fruit ... with fine-grained tannins building in the mouth leading to a peacock's tail of a finish. A beautiful wine with real poise, definition and great finesse." The 2017 proved no less alluring: “Dark chocolate concentration with wonderfully pure, sweet plum and wild cherry fruit, backed by fine-grained tannins ... fresh and lithe, with an expansive finish and near-perfect poise." And let's not overlook those remarkable 95-pointers: Wine Spectator lauded the 1994 — its pick for the #15 wine of 1997, now with three decades of age — for its "layers of very sweet fruit, chocolate and cherry," while noting the "beautiful" balance of its concentration and grip. Not least, the 2022 Cavadinha showcases exactly why this estate is revered - these high-altitude wines start out with charming freshness and elegance, then develop extraordinary complexity and richness with age.
Our Tasting Notes: What a thrilling and fascinating collection this is. The twin 98-pointers display remarkable depth and refinement: the 2016 shows that lovely, supple quality we admire, its fine-grained tannins providing perfect support for the seamless fruit, while the 2017 offers an irresistible dark chocolate concentration wrapped around pure plum and wild cherry notes. The 2022 Quinta da Cavadinha brings all the dynamism and power that makes this high-altitude site so special, its tea-rose and violet aromatics announcing its pedigree. And the perfectly-aged 1994? It's everything a mature vintage port should be, those layers of fruit, chocolate, and cherry having evolved into something profound over its three decades.
The Story: Since 1670, when two enterprising Englishmen established their foothold in the northern Douro Valley (later selling to the first of many Warres), this house has defined port's highest aspirations. Their secret? A staunch and proud commitment to traditional methods, including foot-treading in stone lagares before long cellar aging. Their crown jewel, Quinta da Cavadinha, brings particular magic to their wines – this late-ripening estate, with its high proportion of old vines and southeastern exposure, yields ports of uncommon elegance and aromatic complexity. The lower vineyards bordering the Pinhão River contribute structure and that haunting perfume that marks the finest ports.
Fun Fact: Though Warre's is known for being famously traditional, they're not afraid to innovate – they developed the world's first purpose-built automated treading machine, a technical marvel that respects the gentleness of foot-treading while bringing it into the modern age.
Our Guarantee: As always, we source directly from the producer to ensure perfect provenance. Secure yours today!