Ming L

9.0

Taylor Fladgate is arguably the benchmark for LBV which they basically pioneered.

Notes of ripe blackberries, plum, cedar, chocolate, and spice. Warm and supple with balancing acidity. Great value. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1994 vintage. Popped, decanted and filtered and tasted immediately. Opened six decades too early. The whole crushed violets and plummy thang definitely there alongside hints of sweet tobacco in her breath. With apologies, just another number in your little black book. These are the pros and cons. 1.24.26. — 4 months ago

Donald Williams

9.4

Really held up great, even after being opened for months. — 4 months ago

with Bonnie

John Malcolm

9.0

Bright and fresh. Prunes, chocolate, hazelnut, orange peel, and vanilla. Excellent with a rich blue cheese. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Sweet black fruits - plums. Only medium weight - restrained. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. 2012 was a cooler more moderate growing season, more claret style says Sam Middleton. This is not one of the great Quintets IMO. At its best Quintets is one of the best Cabernet blends in Australia. It still reinforces the fact that the Yarra Valley is one of the better terroirs for Bordeaux blends in Australia. Not for long cellaring. This is first of 3 of the 2012 vintage I have in my cellar. — 3 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

Hosted a tasting for a wine group I’ve been part of for over 40 years. I came across this 56-year-old Port in my cellar and felt it was time to drink it—and with exactly the right people to share it.
I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Right after decanting, my first taste was mostly alcohol, but then it just kept opening and opening. Everything came into balance—nose, palate, and finish were all excellent and incredibly smooth.
Loaded with dark dried plums, figs, cherries, and brown sugar, along with spice and a touch of pepper. I served it with apple pie and blue cheese crumbles, which turned out to be a great match.
— 4 months ago

Robert Swart

9.1

Special treat from friends. Excellent with biscuits and blueberry stilton and wensleydale. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

1994 vintage. 3.15.26. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Black a new blend produced from classic varieties that do not make it into the Quinta do Noval vintage. Deep Ruby red color with pronounced aromas of berry fruits, spice and floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, spice, leather and smoke. Long finish, full bodied, smooth tannins, ending with fruit, cacao and tobacco notes. Nice. — 4 months ago

Doug Powers

9.5

[8-hour decant] Ripe, rich, very youthful still, with a noticeable tannic backbone, but also shows a sweet palate (think Graham’s/Fonseca, though the Symington family owns Graham’s, Dow’s, Warre’s and Cockburn’s, among others??), this should easily evolve/improve another 10-20 years, very long finish, outstanding vintage Porto, super long finish!! — 4 months ago

with Jim