The quality of the 2001 vintage was evident from the beginning of the harvest.
Flavor: Deep purple-black with a narrow magenta rim. Powerful, exuberant, fresh blackcurrant and cherry nose. Nice floral notes. Firm, but well-integrated tannins on the palate. Fresh, ripe, mouth-filling black fruit and plum flavors. Long aftertaste of blueberries and dark chocolate. A very balanced, stylish wine.
Storage: Bottles should lie horizontally, in a cool dark place. Matures slowly, develops and refines in the bottle for decades.
Serve: Decant and serve between 16 and 18ºC, in a suitable glass. Walnuts are an excellent complement to Vintage Port, as are various cheeses such as Stilton and Dorset Blue Vinny. So are dried fruits such as apricots or figs. Or just enjoy the unadulterated taste in a good glass with good company.
Tasting notes:
Steven Spurrier, Decanter:
Taylors’ recent Vargellas vintages are the fabulously intense 1995, the soft, fragile 1998 and now the lively and berry 2001: violets and tobacco leaves on the nose, great depth of fruit with freshness and spice, very vintage style.
As becomes immediately clear after tasting this opaque, almost black single Quinta with an overwhelming richness of aromas: ripe black currants, spices and the typical Vargellas violet nose. The taste is also rich, full and creamy, highly concentrated, ripe fruity and subtle with a drop and chocolate. Its finish is endlessly long and shows the great balanced power.”
Richard Mayson, Decanter: 18
“Very deep, closed and dense; full and fleshy at first with a great purity of fruit mid-palate. Firm, square-shaped tannins rise on the palate, leading to an explosive finish. Drinking window 2012 – 2030
Deep purple with aromas of creamy blackcurrant, ripe cherry and cassis. In addition, hints of mint, licorice and chocolate. Fused but muscular tannins, spice and intense fruit indicate great ripening potential.”
