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In common with much of Europe, Portugal has had some outstanding vintages so far this century, which has produced, amongst other things, a raft of fantastic bottle-aged Ports. Much excitement however surrounds the 2007 vintage which many pundits believe has the same structure and quality of the best vintages. Add to this the quality that the overlooked wood-aged tawnies consistently provide, and the result is that you have never had a better moment to buy. Worth special attention are the single quinta Ports which are produced from single estates in a single year, usually one not declared as a full vintage. They mature more quickly than shippers’ main vintage Ports and can be delicious and very good value. True vintage Ports are the pinnacle of Port production, only made in the finest years when the various shippers decide that quality is good enough to ‘declare’ a vintage. They spend two years in wood and thereafter mature in bottle, the best for thirty years or more, throwing a heavy sediment as they age. When at their peak, they are Ports of unparalleled depth, nuance and length. We often have smaller parcels of vintage Port on our Oddments List. Stephen Crosland 
The Douro was very dry in 2005 but rains in September enabled some excellent wine to be produced. 2004 just got better and better as the harvest progressed and has given the shippers food for thought. 2003 is a 'text book' year according to Port growers; good quantity, excellent quality. 2002 saw rain at vintage time. There may be some good single quintas. 2001 saw wines of good quality and quantity. 2000 produced a small crop of wonderful wines, declared by many houses. In 1999 rain at vintage time caused problems. 1998 was a difficult year with only small quantities made. 1997 is excellent quality, widespread declaration. 1995 is very good, but not declared. There are some exceptional single quinta wines though. 1994 produced rich, powerful wines for long ageing - the best since 1977. 1992 most shippers declared 1991 but Taylor and Fonseca made wonderful 1992’s. 1991 is an excellent vintage for mid and long term cellaring declared by most of the top houses. 1985 saw a wet winter followed by a hot summer producing fine, concentrated Ports with excellent longevity. 1983 is a very good year with some notable successes. Currently very good value. 1982 is an attractive, forward year with some of the wines already drinking well. 1980 is often overlooked. Elegant wines which are now mostly mature. 1977 is a great, classic year full of fruit. The lesser wines are drinking beautifully now, the top wines could do with another few years. 1975 produced light, soft wines that now require drinking. 1970 excellent wines drinking well now but which will hold for a few more years. 1966 is stern in youth but wonderfully complex and rich in maturity. 1963 is a great year giving much pleasure now. 1960 is overshadowed by the 63s but still fine. Needs drinking.
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