Graham's, Vintage Port, 2003
It was at Graham’s Quinta do Malvedos where the Symingtons first started experimenting with their clever, pioneering robotic lagar. Used in conjunction with traditional treading it has been producing remarkable results in the last two vintages. The vintage began at Malvedos on the 15th September; the vines had benefited from end of August showers and had by then yielded healthy grapes showing no signs of heat damage. The Touriga Franca achieved a near record of 14.5º Baumé. Lovers of the Graham’s style will be delighted by the 2003 with its silky seductive liqueur fruit and dark chocolate notes. Its hallmark generosity and sweetness bridled by an underlying tannic power make this an absolute classic.
critic reviews
Violets, roses, spices, and candied dark fruits emanate from the glass of the murky black/purple colored 2003 Graham Vintage Port. After four days of air, this wines aromatics sweetened further, displaying jammy blackberry and blueberry scents. Bold, full-bodied, and expansive, the Graham benefited the most from extensive contact with air of all the 2003s tasted for this report. This opulently jammy wine assaults the palate with powerful yet soft layers of oily, candied red fruits as well as notes of tar and hints of mocha. A highly concentrated effort, it is creamy textured, suave, and reveals an admirably long finish filled with additional layers of dark fruits intermingled with spices. Projected maturity: 2030-2055. Importer: Premium Port Wines, Inc., San Francisco, CA; tel. (866) 554-9920