2009 Taylor Fladgate LBV

Excellent deep purple colour. Lifted, silky nose. Great, broad, luscious spread of super-ripe red fruits on the front palate. Very luxurious for the price. Some black pepper quality as well as the texture memorably described by John Edwards of The Lane, of Larry Cherubino's wines, as 'slithery boy'. It certainly doesn't have the intensity of a vintage port nor even of a single quinta port but it shouldn't disappoint anyone – and the price is pretty good for a five-year-old wine with a future. Distinctly dry finish. GV (JR)