W. & J. Graham's Single Harvest Tawny 1994

W. & J. Graham's Single Harvest Tawny 1994 is a monumental, deeply expressive, and masterfully crafted wood-aged Colheita Port that commemorates a highly unique and low-yielding vintage. Harvested during a season that began with winter snow and concluded with an exceptionally hot ripening period, the fruit developed an incredible natural concentration and structural balance. Aged patiently for over 25 years in seasoned oak casks within the cool, historic Graham's lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, this limited-bottling single-year Port has shed its youthful opacity to reveal a deep orange-brown core with intense coppery hues along the rim. The highly complex nose opens with an inviting bouquet of quince marmalade, soft caramel, and toasted marzipan, seamlessly layered with subtle nuances of dark vanilla, honey, raisins, and a delicate touch of background smoke. On the palate, this full-bodied fortified wine is smooth, rich, and beautifully focused, driving a succulent core of bright red fruit and butterscotch across an elegant framework of underlying citric acidity and fine, silky tannins. It concludes with a satisfyingly long, dry, and multidimensional finish showing refined notes of walnuts, green tea, and tobacco.

Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with creamy crème brûlée, artisanal almond or walnut tarts, rich hazelnut dacquoise, or a selection of mature, sharp blue cheeses.

97 Points - James Suckling

This is very layered and beautiful with fantastic depth and caressing tannins that remind me of a 40-year-old vintage Port more than a vintage tawny. Full-bodied, very sweet and gloriously rich at the end. Just a hint of tannin, too. Love the finish.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 1994 Single Harvest Tawny Port (that's called a "Colheita" traditionally, but some producers have decided to translate) is a field blend bottled in May 2018 with a bar-top cork and 124 grams of residual sugar. Showing lots of power and plenty of depth, this is a radically different style than the Otima (Warre's) this issue. Intense, deep and packed with fruit, it lingers forever on the finish in the way a great tawny should—and this is a great tawny, flavorful, structured and deep. Not even 30 years old yet, it seems to be an overachiever for its relatively young age. For historical interest, this is one of the first Colheitas that winemaker Charles Symington made. He seemed to be a proud father when I tasted it.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast 

Bottled in 2018 after nearly 25 years in wood, this wine is sumptuous with its rich toffee and spice flavors. They contrast with the hints of fresh acidity from the wood aging, giving a dry core to the mature sweet fruits. The wine is completely ready to drink.

94 Points - Wine Spectator

Toasted sesame, caramel, hazelnut and cinnamon notes lead the way, backed by a caressing feel on the finish, as sandalwood, golden raisin and bergamot accents chime in. Shows refinement throughout. Drink now.