Graham's Vintage Port 1994 - 750ml
Graham's Vintage Port 1994 - 750ml
96pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
In a port tasting, tasting Graham's is almost like tasting a big, rich, succulent Merlot after a group of blockbuster, tannic Cabernets. Sweeter and more obvious than many ports, the opaque purple-colored 1994 is fruity, powerful, and rich, with an addictive hedonistic quality. It will be ready to drink in 8-10 years and keep for up to 30. As always, this is a showy, flamboyant port that has the advantage of being slightly sweeter than other 1994s. A great Graham's. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2035.
95pts Wine Spectator
A big, tough, young vintage Port that's closed and difficult to taste. Emits lovely aromas of chocolate, berry and plum, and is full-bodied with lots of sweet, fruit flavors and masses of velvety tannins. Long, sweet finish. Best after 2010. 11,000 cases made.
95pts Vinous
The 1994 Graham’s Vintage Port, which incidentally carries quite noticeable sediment, as there is no fining or filtration, is beginning to show a little bricking on the rim. The bouquet is very harmonious and welcoming, featuring aromas of mulberry, roasted chestnut, pressed rose petals, autumn leaves and a hint of liquorice. The nose is not powerful; rather, it displays a brooding intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and lightly spiced with clove, pain d’épices and again, a scintilla of liquorice. Though it obviously has another 20 or 30 years in the tank, this mellow Graham’s is drinking beautifully now.
93pts Decanter
Highly Recommended 16 years ago, and the same this time round. It's deep, dark, closed and dense, with more to give on the nose. It's a bit hot and cooked, but maybe this is just a stage it's going through. Rich and voluptuous in style, it shows liquorice and mint notes followed by big, ripe tannins piling up on the finish. Better in five years.
17/20 Jancis Robinson
Evolving rim. Lightly cheesy nose with prune notes too. Very sweet start. Dry finish. Quite burly on the palate and ‘smudgy’ on the nose. This 1994 shows up the purity of the 2016.
Winemaker Notes
A classic growing season produced grapes in quite superb condition. It soon became apparent during the vintage that the wines would be exceptional. This initial assessment has been borne out by their development in bottle; the wines showing Graham's characteristic richness, depth or flavor and concentration. Huge ageing potential. A classic.
Winery Notes
Tradition, experience and knowledge spanning two centuries have given Graham’s the values that are at the heart of the company’s philosophy. The Graham family motto Ne Oublie (forget not or never forget) perfectly encapsulates the company’s commitment to the Douro Region, born of a deep respect for the past.
Founded in 1820, Graham’s produced some of the greatest Ports of the 20th century, amongst which the 1927, 1935, 1945, 1970 and 2000 Vintages. In 1970 the company changed ownership from the founding family to the Symingtons, who have themselves been Port producers since 1882, however through their Anglo-Portuguese great-grandmother, they can trace their Port heritage back to 1652. Graham’s owns some of the finest vineyards in the Douro Valley, one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world and a Unesco World Heritage Site.