FFW 2021 Wine Catalogue

PORTUGAL

MEET THE GROWER Croft

WA94 POINTS

One of the original founding port houses, Croft traces its origins to 1588 when the company was established in England by Henry Thomson, amember of theMerchants Company of York. The Croft family, which joined the partnership in 1736 and gave the firm its present name, served the port trade with great distinction. A book published by the firm reveals much new research into the company’s long and fascinating history. The reputation of Croft as a Vintage Port producer derives to a large extent from its ownership of Quinta da Roêda, one of the finest estates in the Douro Valley, and from such legendary wines as the Croft 1945, recognised as one of the finest of that landmark year. In September 2001, Croft became part of The Fladgate Partnership, the family group which also includes the famous Taylor’s and Fonseca port houses.

CROFT 2016 DRINK2026 - 2060

6x75 £235

The 2016 Vintage Port is a field blend originally seen about a week before bottling. It comes inwith 104 grams of residual sugar. Not a lot has changed except that it seems evenmore approachable and much better balanced now. It also seems drier than its statistics would suggest. Tight and intense on first taste, this comes around relatively well with a couple of hours of air on the first day tasted, but it isn’t expressive until a couple of days later. The initial firmness moderates to some extent, showcasing a relatively approachable young Port. (That doesn’t mean it is ready or close to it.) The concentration seems good enough now, so that the hints of alcohol that I saw in June—and again this time around when this was in its first 90minutes of aeration—seem under much better control. The balance is just more appealing. It shows beautifully with a couple of days of air. As with all Ports of any quality, this could use some time. This is gripping, but it won’t sear your mouth with tannins. You are going to have to cellar it awhile to allow it to acquiremore complexity andmore harmony, though. This is showingmore promise than ever.

—MARKSQUIRES

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