Croft : Vintage Port 2011

2011 Vintage Port

Croft is one of the oldest and undeniably the most prestigious port houses, especially following their legendary 1945 Vintage Port release. With a shiny violet-tinted black hue, Croft's 2011 Vintage Port already exhibits the unique style distinctive of exceptional Vintage wines. The alluring nose exudes strong scents of fruits and lovely depth with cassis, black cherry, or even raspberry. The palate is rich with smooth texture and tense tannins leading to a vigorous finish.

Wine Advocate-Parker :
The 2011 Croft is initially taciturn on the nose, even after allowing it 20 minutes in my glass. A light swirling immediately awakens the aromatics to offer blackberry, Seville orange marmalade, blueberries and dried fig - complex and quite compelling. There is real mineralite within this bouquet that, returning after 30 minutes, offers alluring ocean spray scents rolling in off the ocean. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety-smooth opening that belies the fine, structured tannins underneath. It clams up a little towards the finish, shuts the lid tight and consequently there is the sensation of less persistency here compared to the Taylor's or Fonseca. But Croft has a knack of filling out with bottle age and becomes both gentle and generous with the passing years. Tasted May 2013.