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Fladgate Partnership declares fourth vintage in a decade

Published:  27 April, 2011

The Fladgate Partnership, owners of Taylor's, Croft and Fonseca port, is to release 2009 classic vintage ports from all three houses making this the fourth declaration in a decade.

The move follows earlier declarations in 2000, 2003, 2007, and 2009.

Adrian Bridge, chief executive of The Fladgate Partnership, said: "In over three centuries of making great Ports, we have seldom seen four outstanding vintages come along in a decade. Like the great landmark vintages of the early twentieth century, the 2009s are built for longevity."

Taylor's 2009 is once again based on a blend of ports from Quinta de Vargellas and Quinta de Terra Feita. Quinta do Junco has made a small contribution since 2000 and does so again in 2009.
Fonseca 2009 is drawn from Quinta do Panascal and Quinta do Cruzeiro with a small proportion of wine from Quinta do Santo António, recently converted to organic viticulture. The Croft 2009 is drawn entirely from Quinta da Roêda. A small quantity of Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009 will also be released.

"We haven't seen colour intensity and tannic grip like this in over twenty years," said head winemaker, David Guimaraens. "The quality of fruit is also impressive and the wines have excellent acidity."

The 2009 vintage was marked by low vine fertility and a dry ripening season resulting in low yields, dense and concentrated musts, high colour, tannin and sugar levels. There will be smaller quantities available than the preceding declared vintages and tighter allocations.

The 2009 ports will be shipped to the UK towards the end of the year.

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