97 Points James Suckling - Blueberry, blackberry and dried violets on then nose that follow through to a full body, firm and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. This shows grip and some green, wet earth undertones on the finish. Structured. Try in 2026.
97 Points Wine Spectator - A beauty in the making, with waves of dark currant preserves, warmed fig and steeped blackberry fruit, all infused with chai spice, tobacco, singed alder and espresso cream accents. Very grippy on the finish, but this is long and smoldering too. Best from 2035 through 2060. 500 cases imported.
96 Decanter - The predominantly south-facing Quinta da Roêda provides the cornerstone of this vintage Port, the best from Croft since the 1960s - and it's well priced too. It's surprisingly demure on the nose with underlying plump, juicy plums and cherries. It's similarly voluptuous on the palate initially - in true Croft style - with a wonderfully ripe, broad tannic core rising in the mouth. It's dense and rather gorgeous all the way through to a fresh, vibrant finish.
95 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - The 2017 Vintage Port is a field blend aged for approximately 20 months in French oak. It comes in with 97 grams of residual sugar. This was only seen before bottling previously. Now, with some bottle aging, it looks super, superior to the 2016, also reviewed, and a fine 2017. It is, of course, extremely young. It's tight but not astringent (at least with decanting); the fruit is as if just crushed, and it is beautifully balanced. This is not even close to showing all it has. Throw it in the cellar. You can drink it now, but you'll just be wasting it. Right now, this and the 2016 are close, but I predict this will pull ahead with every passing year.
94 Points Vinous - The 2017 Croft Vintage Port was picked from August 31, the earliest since 1945. Deep purple in color, the nose is initially standoffish, checking you out before opening intense black plum and crushed violet aromas, orange blossom and veins of Seville orange marmalade. Yet it is extremely well focused, disguising the warmth of the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with a luxuriant, velvety smooth opening that lacquers the mouth. Beautifully balanced, effortless even, it gently seems to roll across the senses towards its surprisingly controlled, clove and bayleaf tinged finish that leaves a discrete tingling sensation on the tongue. Superb and probably one of the 2017 Vintage Ports that will drink sooner than others. Total production is 3,900 cases.
93 Points Wine Enthusiast - A beautifully juicy wine, packed with firm tannins and with great black fruits already in balance. The wine has style, never hinting too much at power, but instead going for complexity. Drink from 2030.
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The tradition of serving Port wine during Christmas has roots in British and European holiday customs. The wine's sweetness pairs well with Christmas desserts, and its warming qualities make it appealing during the colder season. Additionally, Port is often associated with celebrations and toasts, making it a fitting choice for festive occasions like Christmas. Over time, these culinary and cultural connections have solidified the tradition of enjoying Port wine during the holiday season.
However, Port wine is a versatile drink that pairs well with savory foods as well. Some of the best food categories to pair with Port wine include cheese, various desserts and nuts. Here are some specific food recommendations:
- Blue cheese: The strong flavor of blue cheese complements the sweetness of Port wine.
- Walnuts: The nuttiness of walnuts pairs well with the fruity notes of Port wine.
- Figs: The sweetness of figs pairs well with the rich, full-bodied flavor of Port wine.
- Chocolate: The sweetness of chocolate pairs well with the rich, full-bodied flavor of Port wine.
- Beef tenderloin: The richness of beef tenderloin pairs well with the full-bodied flavor of Port wine.
We have both vintage and non-vintage ports for you, including a white port. White Port is a fortified wine made in Portugal's Douro Valley from indigenous white grapes. And just like red Port, it is made by adding grape brandy to the fermenting wine juice, which stops the fermentation process and yields a wine with a higher alcohol percentage.
Enjoy these delicious wines during the Holidays with your friends and family and continue the tradition.
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