Croft 2017 (375ML)

97 JS / 97 WS / 96 DE / 93-95 WA / 94 VM / 17.5 JR

Blueberry, blackberry and dried violets on then nose that follow through to a full body, firm and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. This shows grip and some green, wet earth undertones on the finish. Stuctured. Try in 2026. - James Suckling

A beauty in the making, with waves of dark currant preserves, warmed fig and steeped blackberry fruit, all infused with chai spice, tobacco, singed alder and espresso cream accents. Very grippy on the finish, but this is long and smoldering too. Best from 2035 through 2060. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The predominantly south-facing Quinta da Roêda provides the cornerstone of this vintage Port, the best from Croft since the 1960s - and it's well priced too. It's surprisingly demure on the nose with underlying plump, juicy plums and cherries. It's similarly voluptuous on the palate initially - in true Croft style - with a wonderfully ripe, broad tannic core rising in the mouth. It's dense and rather gorgeous all the way through to a fresh, vibrant finish. - Richard Mayson, Decanter

The 2017 Vintage Port is a field blend, not quite bottled but the final blend set for bottling in about a week. It was aged for approximately 20 months in French oak and comes in with 97 grams of residual sugar. Fresh and lively, showing vivid fruit and a clean finish, this is also nicely lifted on the finish. It is surprisingly accessible. This is also a bit more expressive at the moment than its Sērikos sibling this issue, but it's also lighter and a little less powerful. This can be one to approach young, but I wouldn't do it unless you want to sacrifice complexity and harmony. - Mark Squires, Wine Advocate

The 2017 Croft Vintage Port was picked from August 31, the earliest since 1945. Deep purple in color, the nose is initially standoffish, checking you out before opening intense black plum and crushed violet aromas, orange blossom and veins of Seville orange marmalade. Yet it is extremely well focused, disguising the warmth of the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with a luxuriant, velvety smooth opening that lacquers the mouth. Beautifully balanced, effortless even, it gently seems to roll across the senses towards its surprisingly controlled, clove and bayleaf tinged finish that leaves a discrete tingling sensation on the tongue. Superb and probably one of the 2017 Vintage Ports that will drink sooner than others. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Deep purple with wide purple rim. The most red-fruited of all the Fladgate 2017s so far but lots of sweet black cherry too. Much more gentle on the palate than the Fonseca and Taylor's and less obvious length, or at least much softer and chocolatey as it fades on the palate. This is all about the fruit and has lovely freshness and lively fruit purity. Mouth-watering finish of sweet-sour cherry flavours. - Jancis Robinson