Croft, Vintage Port, 2024

Croft is one of the great old Port houses. After a long period of underperformance, it was purchased by Fladgate on September 10th, 2001. It is now back to its level best. David Guimaraens reinstated foot treading at Croft in 2003 to drive up quality; this has now been complemented by gentler mechanical plungers, as fermentation continues. Stalks are retained in the Lagares to add freshness. Much of the fruit comes from the Quinta da Rueda in Pinhao which was planted just after phylloxera. The fruit here is beautifully ripe and lends an exotic peach and apricot aroma. It is luscious and sweet on the palate and extremely aromatic. Rich pliant purple fruits: Cherry pie, plums, damsons, prunes and raisins, with beautifully svelte and glossy tannins. Dried mango and sweet baking spice crest the ever so long finish. This is an exceptional Croft.