UK wine writer and Port expert Richard Mayson has published his assessment of the 2011 Vintage Ports, after repeated tastings including one blind. "There can be no doubt that, in the main, 2011 is an excellent and possibly outstanding year... anyone born in 2011 has a wine for life." We are delighted that Richard has awarded 4 or 5 Stars to all the Symington Vintage Ports.
When Jancis wrote "Could 2011 be the vintage to put vintage port back on the fine wine map?", both our own Paul Symington and David Guimaraens of the Fladgate Partnership (makers of Taylor & Fonseca ports) wrote to Jancis - in this article she publishes their reflections on the future of Port and the Douro.
Sarah's report on the Symington 2011 Vintage Ports, tasted in London the week of 22 April. Fascinating to read her comments about the five component wines which made up the Graham's 2011 Vintage Port, alongside her note for the finished Graham's.
"A euforia chegou ao Douro e às caves da Gaia" Euphoria has arrived in the Douro and cellars of Gaia with the declaration of the 2011 Vintage Ports, which look likely to last into the next century. Pedro Garcias discusses the 2011 harvest year and the releases of several producers, particularly Symington Family Estates. (in Portuguese)
"...Stone Terraces, um vintage que provoca uma experiência sensorial única." Graham's The Stone Terraces, "a Vintage which creates a unique sensory experience." So writes Manuel Carvalho, one of Portugal's top wine writers and critics in Publico's Fugas magazine. This PDF includes Manuel's article about Stone Terraces and also the print edition of Pedro Garcias' article about the 2011 Vintage Ports published 30 April on line (link above). In Portuguese.
UK wine writer Jamie Goode gives his first impressions of Symington Family Estates' 2011 Vintage Ports based on a tasting 22 April in London.
“You simply can’t create complexity of this order in under a century or so, I suspect.” Andrew Jeffords writes eloquently of the pleasure of a glass of very very old Port which Paul Symington shared with him one evening.
Só no equilíbrio (por vezes difícil de conseguir) entre tradição e modernidade é possível manter uma empresa na linha da frente do sector. For the second time in his career Charles Symington has received the prestigious Wine Maker of the Year (Fortified Wines) Award from Revista de Vinhos, with particular praise for his re-launch of the Graham’s range of Tawny Ports. (in Portuguese)
Estes são os vinhos que nos fazem sonhar, que nos despertam, como nenhuns outros, os sentidos de prazer. "These are the wines which make us dream, which, like no others, awaken our sense of pleasure." Revista de Vinhos, Portugal's top wine magazine, publishes its list of 2012's outstanding wines, citing Warre's Vintage Port 2009 for an Award for Excellence, and many of the Graham's Tawnies as well.
Revista de Vinhos, Portugal's top wine magazine, has awarded Charles Symington, head winemaker for Symington Family Estates, the Winemaker of the Year for Fortified Wines, in its annual "Oscars of Wine" awards.