Sandeman Port Vintage 2018 750ml

This ripe Port boasts stewed plums and dense tannins, making it opulent, rich and set for long-term aging. Spice and a hint of cardamom give further complexity. Of course, this fine wine will age. Wait to drink until 2029.

The 2018 Vintage Porto is mostly a 50/40 blend of Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional with Tinto Cão and Sousão filling out the rest of the blend. It comes in with 106 grams of residual sugar. When last seen, this seemed pretty fine, but it was not yet bottled and there were some questions to answer. Let's check in. With some bottle time, this has fleshed out and shows off its concentration to balance superb structure. The structure may be the best feature. That is part of the identity of most great Ports, and this easily meets any such challenge. There is a serious backbone supporting the fruit and a big finish with appropriate grip and length. A day or two after it was opened, it was more vigorous and powerful than ever. I did have some other questions about balance the first time, though, and the answers are still not entirely clear. This is very ripe. Sometimes I thought it might cross the line to over-ripeness. That's less of a sin with Port, perhaps. Classic in its flavor profile on opening, this eventually shows more baked plums and stewed plums. If there's a question here, it is whether the fruit profile will keep up with the superb structure as it ages. Overall, it shows the ability to age for some decades and develop more complexity. I'd bet on it, but let's be a little conservative just now. There were 19,333 bottles produced.

Lots to like here, with a mix of crushed plum, raspberry paste and blackberry compote notes that work in harmony while fruitcake, bramble and apple wood accents fill in on the juicy finish. Has excellent range and depth. Best from 2030 through 2045. 1,610 cases made, 170 cases imported.

A settled aroma that's getting stuck in to mature. Has a bit of breadth and flesh with dense black fruits and herbs. (Silver) - DWWA 2021

The 2018 Vintage Port from Sandeman, which was sent as a cask sample, has 106g/L residual sugar. It has a powerful and heady bouquet that does not quite possess the delineation of some other 2018s that I have encountered. The aromatics are just a tad too hedonistic. The palate is very sweet and candied on the entry with luscious liquorice infused black fruit, espresso, curry leaf and a touch of Xmas cake. It is a thoroughly enjoyable Vintage Port, though the warmth of the growing season seems to just rub out a little of Sandeman’s style.

Deep color, almost opaque. Aroma of excellent complexity, with spicy notes, together with curry, pepper, ginger, red berries and black fruits. The wine has a light cacao touch with a slightly stony finish, the result of good maturation. On the palate it is intense and complex with lively acidity, firm and well present tannins with an extremely long finish and great concentration.