Appearance and Aroma
A brilliant and very deep orange in the glass, with brown and coppery nuances. Bring your nose to the glass, and you’ll experience intense impressions of quince marmalade, hints of vanilla and caramel, with subtle notes of raisins and honey. Aging in barrels has left its mark in the form of a touch of almond and marzipan. A faint smokiness follows, and on the palate, you’ll detect a hint of red berries. Fresh and beautifully balanced. A satisfyingly long aftertaste with a subtle combination of walnuts, tea, and tobacco.
Exclusive Vintage Ports
Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Ports are limited-edition wines made exclusively from the finest vintages. These are Ports set aside to age for decades under the watchful eye of Graham’s Cellar Master, ensuring they are released only when deemed ready to join the Cellar Master’s Trilogy. During the 1997 harvest, the current Head Winemaker, Charles Symington, was an apprentice under his father, Peter—hence the name, The Apprentice.
Notable Reviews
97 Points – James Suckling:
“DEEP AND GENEROUS”
Salted caramel, salted almonds, dried blood orange, saffron, and dried flowers. Beautiful texture with a full body and delicate sweetness. Deep and generous, with a long and firm but rich finish. Lots of butterscotch. Dense at the finish. Drink or hold.
94 Points – DinVinGuide (Reviewed by Thomas Rydberg):
Straightforward sweetness, well-balanced with notes of hazelnuts, caramel, dried figs, and anise. Elegant and very classic in style.
94 Points – Wine Enthusiast:
“MEMORABLE”
This Port, blended with grapes from a single year, is dense and smooth, with flavors of toffee and dried fruits. The spirit is just present enough to give a sharp bite at the end. Drink this memorable wine now.
93 Points – Wine Spectator:
“FRESH ENOUGH FOR AN APERITIF, HEDONISTIC ENOUGH FOR DESSERT”
Suave and tawny, with stylish caramel, dried cherry, and green tea notes gliding through. The flattering, sneakily long finish is underscored by hazelnut and dacquoise accents.
92 Points – Robert Parker:
This 1997 Single Harvest Tawny Port (traditionally called a “Colheita”) was bottled in May 2018 with 108 grams of residual sugar. This version of Graham’s is drier and more robust, focusing less on sweetness. It is still excellent, with complexity and a powerful finish.
A Rich Heritage
Few places in the world are as beautiful as the Douro Valley and the city of Porto. This becomes evident when visiting Graham’s in both locations. The grapes originate in the Douro Valley (as Port wine cannot be called Port otherwise), and the wines are aged in Porto, where Graham’s Lodge offers a breathtaking view of the charming city. Porto is a destination we highly recommend visiting.
The story of Graham’s began in 1820, when the Graham brothers received 27 barrels of Port wine as payment for an unpaid debt. The barrels sold so well that the brothers decided to not only sell but also produce Port wine—and to strive for the very best. This marked the founding of W & J Graham’s.
Today, three centuries of Port wine tradition and expertise provide Graham’s with a solid foundation of values and a commitment to innovation. The company’s motto, “Do Not Forget”, reflects its dedication to passing on tradition and knowledge from generation to generation.
In 1882, a young Scot, Andrew James Symington, joined Graham’s but later moved on. However, in 1970, when Graham’s faced financial difficulties, the Symington grandchildren seized the opportunity to acquire the house. Today, the Symington family is a central figure in the world of Port wine, owning some of the finest houses and maintaining a legacy that dates back to the 1600s.
