Warres 2016 (375ML)

98 WS / 98 DE / 96 JS / 96 WE / 17.5 JR

#14 Wine Spectator Top 100 2018

Gorgeous, with warm plum reduction and gently steeped raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors forming the core, all inlaid with warm ganache and smoldering tobacco accents. Very plush in feel, but has no lack of energy, as everything sails beautifully through the long finish. A late echo of anise completes the seduction. Best from 2035 through 2055. 3,000 cases made. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Nearly 50% is made from old field blend vines, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca from the Douro Superior. Very pure violet aromas – already utterly charming with lovely, supple and seamless fruit. Fresh and lithe with fine-grained tannins building in the mouth leading to a peacock’s tail of a finish. A beautiful wine with real poise, definition and great finesse. Don’t be deceived by the early charm, this is a wine that will last. Total production of 4,250 cases. - Richard Mayson, Decanter

Very complex with dried flowers and roses. Full-bodied, very layered and tightly wound. Chewy and powerful. Firm and off-dry. Needs five or six years to soften. Beauty. Try in 2024. - James Suckling

This is a juicy wine, with dense black fruits that are cut by bright acidity. The tannins give power and long-term aging potential to this impressive wine. Drink from 2028. - Wine Enthusiast

Warre's 'feminine' ports come from the relatively high 29-ha vineyard at Quinta da Cavadinha in the Pinhão Valley, the 22-ha vineyard at Quinta do Retiro in the Rio Torto Valley, and the 25-ha Quinta da Telhada in the upper reaches of the Douro Superior. Not quite as deep-coloured as Dow and Graham but almost! Very dark blackish crimson. Strongly aromatic with balsam notes. Smells as though this would be just the job with roast lamb somehow – in the same way as a redcurrant jelly. The acidity seems more marked than its grand stablemates Dow and Graham. Racy and sinewy. - Jancis Robinson