Taylor 1983

This house must certainly be the Latour of Portugal. Their ports are remarkably backward yet still impressive when young. Of all the vintage ports, those of Taylor need the longest time to mature and even when fully mature seem to have an inner strength and firmness that keep them going for decades. Their tawnys are also among the very best, though somewhat expensive. The 1983 is wonderfully aromatic and so perfumed (a characteristic of this charming vintage), yet powerful, long and deep on the palate. It gives every indication of being an early-maturing Taylor, but I wouldn't want to drink it before 1995.

Taylor is always closed and tight when young and this is no excpetion. Deep ruby-purple, ripe raisin and violet aromas, full-bodied, with sweet raisin and grape flavors, a lovely balance of full tannins and an explosion of fruit on the finish. Drink 1996-1998.