Graham’s has a reputation which is second to none as a producer of outstanding Vintage Ports. These wines are renowned for their remarkable richness, concentration and firm tannic structure, all of which combine to yield impressive longevity. Graham’s Vintages consistently attain the highest ratings in tastings and invariably attract very high bids at the fine wine auctions.

Michael Broadbent MW, one of the world’s leading authorities on fine wines summed up Graham’s Vintage Port stature, referring to the iconic Graham 1945 as follows: “Outstandingly the loveliest ’45. First noted ‘undeveloped’ in 1960 and in 1982 ‘at peak but with 10-15 years of life’! Many consistently good notes and outstandingly the best at ‘The World’s Greatest Ports’ tasting: a sweet-smelling, fragrant yet powerful wine, still tannic, profound.”

(From his book: ‘Vintage Wine – Fifty Years of Tasting over Three Centuries of Wine’- first published 2002). More recently, Peter Symington who together with his son Charles heads the Graham winemaking team, aptly epitomized the Graham’s Vintage Port style – straight from his tasting notes on the Graham 2003: “Deep opaque, blackish purple colour. Aromas of violets just fly out of the glass! In the mouth, endless layers of very ripe blackberry fruit coat the palate. Great depth of structure with sweet liquorice flavour combining with rich tannins give this wine an outstanding complexity. Leaves a long persistent flavour. A classic Graham in the style of its predecessors.”

Five of the Douro’s finest vineyards; Quinta dos Malvedos; Quinta do Tua; Quinta das Lages; Quinta da Vila Velha and Quinta do Vale de Malhadas, totaling between them 205 hectares under vine, are key to underpinning the incomparable quality and style of Graham’s Vintage Ports.

Vintage Ports are only made in exceptional years (usually three or four times in a decade). The principal determining factor is the weather in the vineyards which must be ideal throughout the viticultural season and subsequently during the harvest.