"96 Points - Decanter.com
Tasted by: Richard Mayson, Shane Jones, Demetri Walters MW - Oct 2022)
The 2000 growing season is known for quality over quantity. A mild, dry winter led to early bud burst before April and May brought unusual amounts of rain. This caused disruption to fruit set and a small harvest, but summer delivered some stability with good weather stretching right into September and through the harvest, ultimately with excellent fruit quality and fermentations under near ideal conditions. RM Strangely withdrawn on the nose, though perhaps just in a phase – it’s much better on the palate with fresh berry fruit, firm tannins and lovely overall depth. Balanced, not especially big, but very nicely structured. SJ Lush and majestic palate. Indulgently concentrated but well balanced, with cooked black fruit, chocolate and nutmeg spice. Incredibly long, with many years ahead. DW This is a full, ripe, sweet, juicy and expressive example with blueberry appeal, leather/ spice notes and freshness, as well as notable tannic tension. Drinking Window: 2022 - 2075
18.5 Points - Jancis Robinson MW
Dark crimson with a slightly weak rim. Rich, slightly volatile, evolved nose. Polished and dense and explosive. Interesting contrast with Noval 2000. More of a Fonseca style in its opulence. Lots of fun! Great richness. I would love to discover this in fact comes from somewhere other than Portugal! Complete. Drink 2015-2040. JancisRobinson.com, December 2012
93+ Points - Neal Martin, wineadvocate.com
This seems to have more volatility on the nose than the other 2000s although it is not distracting from the ripe toasty black fruit infused with liquorices and creme de menthe. The palate is full-bodied with exceptionally smooth tannins, very refined and harmonious. A sensuous Grahams with black cherry, black olive, fruitcake, California raisin and damson towards the finish. Primal of course, but great potential. Drink 2012-2040. Tasted May 2009.
The Wine Advocate"
Graham’s was founded in Portugal in 1820 by two Scottish brothers William and John Graham and during the 19th century became one of the most highly regarded of all Port producers. Their success led to the building of the magnificent Graham’s Lodge in Gaia in 1890, and to the acquisition in the same year of the famous Quinta dos Malvedos, one of the finest vineyards in the Douro Valley. In 1882, Andrew James Symington, son of a Glaswegian father and Shetlander mother, sailed to Porto to work for Graham’s, thus beginning his family’s long association with this famous house. Although he left shortly after to establish his own Port house, his grandsons acquired the company when the Graham family offered it for sale in 1970. Today Graham’s owns the 85 hectare Malvedos estate together with its own small lagar winery, and the neighboring 22 hectare Quinta do Tua with its remarkable stone terraces. For nearly half a century, several members of the Symington family, whose heritage in Port dates back to the 17th century though Andrew’s Anglo-Portuguese wife, Beatriz Leitão de Carvalhosa Atkinson, have worked to enhance Graham’s superb Vintage Port reputation, whilst developing other famous Graham’s Ports such as Six Grapes, Late Bottled Vintage and the company’s exceptional Aged Tawny Ports.
