2011 Taylor & Fonseca

[Roy Hersh]

Disclaimer: although mentioned, I have zero financial interest in this offering.


Legends of the Douro
The Potential Greatness of
2011 Fonseca & Taylor [/b

]“I have a feeling this one will be epic.” Roy Hersh


In this, our 24th year of selling vintage port, news of a potentially historic port vintage has gotten our attention in a way we haven’t experienced in a very long time.

And 2011 looks to be one of those years that we ignore only at our peril. It's not just that it could prove to be a year of legend. We have a hunch that the market will heat up in a way we haven’t seen in decades. That means not only higher prices on the horizon but true scarcity, especially for the top wines, and particularly the formats that are always hardest to find.

Which is why we’re buying 2011 Fonseca and Taylor now—in bottles, halves and magnums—and why we urge you to as well.

Our Eyes & Ears
We first learned about this remarkable year from my good friend Roy Hersh (fortheloveofport.com) who was in the Douro during the harvest in 2011. Roy wrote me: “From the moment the grapes were picked and foot treading took place in lagares, the extraction of color and concentration of flavors was immediately apparent and unrivaled in recent years … the energy in the Douro was palpable during the harvest, and this is not just the hype of the next ‘generally declared’ vintage, I have a feeling this one will be epic.”

With time, we will be looking at the half dozen or so producers who can be relied on to make outstanding port in a top year: Graham, Dow, Noval, Warre, etc. But as we did in 1994, our first job (in advance of a flood of high ratings) was to nail down Fonseca and Taylor at the best prices we could, while assuring that we also secure the half bottles and magnums that will soon disappear.

We think we’ve done our job very well. Delivery late 2013/early 2014.

Mannie Berk
The Rare Wine Co.




2011 Fonseca* $79.95 btl $47.95 half btl $165 mag

Jancis Robinson 19.5/20
"Heady, opulent nose. Completely enveloping, Smells as though there is going to be the most fabulous texture. Wow! All stops pulled out for this one. It's all absolutely gorgeous intensity of sweet fruit on the front palate and then gradually the schist and structure reveal themselves. This is really wonderful stuff. So tempting to sip it decades before it is ready."


2011 Taylor* $84.95 btl $47.95 half btl $169.95 mag

Jancis Robinson 19.5/20
"Opens out in the most superb, burgundian peacock's tail sort of way … Utterly different from the Fonseca … irreproachable..."


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