Founded in 1692 by Job Bearsley in northern Portugal, Taylor's Port has remained entirely dedicated to quality Port production throughout its history. Nestled among the lodges and cellars of Oporto, Taylor's is one of the oldest of the founding Port Houses. Still family managed to this day, Taylor's is committed to producing only the finest Port wines of quality and character. Noted for their elegance and poise, as well as for their restrained power and longevity, Taylor's Vintage Ports are blended from the finest wines of Taylor's own quintas: Quinta da Vargellas, Quinta de Terra Feita and Quinta do Junco. These three iconic properties, each with its distinct geographic location and character are the source of Taylor's inimitable house style. Taylor's is also respected as a producer of wood aged ports and holds one of the most extensive reserves of rare cask aged wines. The house is also known as the originator of Late Bottled Vintage, a style which the firm pioneered. Taylor's pioneered Chip Dry White Port which has been an industry leader since its introduction in 1934. At Vargellas, and at Taylor's two other Douro Valley estates, protection of the environment and the ecological well-being of the region are paramount. New terraces are planted specifically to avoid topsoil erosion. The absence of herbicides allows natural vegetal growth on the banks to encourage biodiversity, and the distribution of vines throughout the vineyard is critical to ensure they can thrive naturally. These efforts saw Taylor's awarded the BES Biodiversity Prize in recognition of their conservation and sustainability efforts.

The Douro Valley is a dramatic landscape of steep hillsides and deep valleys. Taylor's iconic properties are classed as Grade A quality vineyards and the soil in which the vines are planted is made up of schist, a slate-like metamorphic rock. Rich in nutrients, it has also has useful water retention properties allowing the vines to prevail in the arid summer conditions. he 2013 vintage had a wet winter and daily temperatures for the first four months of the growing season were below average. Veraison was rather late, however, July and August were very hot. At the beginning of September the vines were ripening their grapes at a steady rate. Harvest started at Quinta de Vargellas on the 18th September. Excellent Ports were made in the first half of the harvest, with good colour and aromas.

Taylor's Port wine cellars in the heart of the historic area of Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river from the old city centre of Oporto, house most of the company's extensive reserves of wood aged Port as well its Vintage Port cellars. The cellars are long cool, dark warehouses, their thick granite walls and high ceilings helping to keep out the heat and maintain an even temperature throughout the year. This ensures that the wines age slowly, gradually acquiring the sublime complex flavours and aromas of maturity.

After uncorking the wine, pour in a slow, steady stream into a decanter, carefully watching the emerging liquid to ensure that only the clear wine is poured, leaving the sediment behind. Walnuts are an excellent accompaniment to Vintage Port, as are blue-veined cheeses and dried fruits.

Jancis Robinson - "A still-youthful single-quinta port offering great value. Very ripe, round and smooth, which is surprising considering how relatively youthful it is. I could imagine this wine pairing very well with the salty acidity of Stilton. Lay this in for many Christmases to come..."

Will Lyons, The Times - A rich, intense example from one of the leading quintas in the Douro. It's supple and soft, with plenty of luscious dark fruit and sweet spice."