WINE ADVOCATE - 97 POINTS -"The 2015 The Stone Terraces Vintage Port is a field blend, heavy on the Touriga Nacional, although not so listed, from two vineyards with stone terraces at Graham's Quinta dos Malvedos. It comes in with 106 grams per liter of residual sugar. The last time this was seen, it was pretty brilliant. It's a good example of how ports can change steadily and flip flop. On my last tastes of each, I clearly preferred the 2016 by a long margin. In this tasting with the Symingtons, they were about equal, and this might've been better. Surprisingly dense—it has fleshed out—this doesn't surprise in its pure power or aromatics. It is, however, the least lifted of the 2015-2017 trilogy. As it sat in the bottle, it became more about muscle and density. It is a long way from ready, but it is round enough to be somewhat approachable. I'd really recommend that you hold this at least another decade, however, even if it will theoretically be approachable younger. It is too powerful and too tightly wound to take chances with.
The 2017 declaration resulted in very low yields—about a third less than the 2016s. This also, across the Symington line, represents the first back-to-back declarations in family history. If you read my article on the 2015s ("The 2015 Vintage - Undeclared and Unashamed"), you know that my answer to that is very simple: It's about time Port producers did such things. It shouldn't be so unusual.
As a special treat here, we have a mini-vertical of The Stone Terraces—a Port everyone seems to love these days. It's become a cult favorite. It is a field blend but very heavy on the Touriga Nacional, although not stated, from two vineyards with stone terraces at Graham's Quinta dos Malvedos.."
WINE SPECTATOR - 96 POINTSFlattering, with a gorgeous and seductive, showy display of warm plum sauce, blueberry reduction and chocolate-covered acaí berry flavors rushing forth. Light milk chocolate and black licorice notes check in through the finish, which is juicy and open in feel. Best from 2028 through 2040. 400 cases made, 35 cases imported. — JM
The 2017 declaration resulted in very low yields—about a third less than the 2016s. This also, across the Symington line, represents the first back-to-back declarations in family history. If you read my article on the 2015s ("The 2015 Vintage - Undeclared and Unashamed"), you know that my answer to that is very simple: It's about time Port producers did such things. It shouldn't be so unusual.
As a special treat here, we have a mini-vertical of The Stone Terraces—a Port everyone seems to love these days. It's become a cult favorite. It is a field blend but very heavy on the Touriga Nacional, although not stated, from two vineyards with stone terraces at Graham's Quinta dos Malvedos.."
WINE SPECTATOR - 96 POINTSFlattering, with a gorgeous and seductive, showy display of warm plum sauce, blueberry reduction and chocolate-covered acaí berry flavors rushing forth. Light milk chocolate and black licorice notes check in through the finish, which is juicy and open in feel. Best from 2028 through 2040. 400 cases made, 35 cases imported. — JM
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