Graham's
W. & J. Graham & C:a
| Founded | 1820 |
|---|---|
| Owner | Symnington family |
| Vineyards | Quinta dos Malvedos, Quinta da Vila Vehla, Quinta do Vale de Malhadas, Quinta das Lages |
| Vintage Port Brands | Graham's, Quinta dos Malvedos |
The firm of W. & J. Graham & Co has its roots in a Glasgow-based textile concern. During the early nineteenth century an office of this trading company was established in Oporto. In 1820 the brothers William and John Graham, who were then managing the office, accepted 27 pipes of Port wine in settlement of a bad debt. This Port was shipped to the parent company in Glasgow which initially reprimanded the brothers for not sending cash. Fortunately however, after it was sold the Port turned out to be very popular and soon William and John were being urged by their parent company to acquire and ship more of this finest of fortified wines. Within the next few years Graham's reputation grew as a shipper of fine Port, first to Scotland and gradually all over the Port drinking world. By the late 18th century Graham's was firmly established as a prominent Port shipper. The Scottish connection remained, as it does today, an important feature in the company's identity. In 1882 Andrew James Symington, a young Scot whose family was well known to the Grahams, took up a position with Graham's in Oporto. Although after a few years he left the company to join another Port shipping business, the firm of W. & J. Graham was acquired by the Symington family, his descendants, in 1970.
Graham's owns the Quinta dos Malvedos at Tua in the Upper Douro valley. It is one of the most famous vineyards in the Douro and marked already on Forrester’s map. It was plated at the end of the 18th century and sold 1849 to Justino Ferreira Pinto Basto (a son of the famous founder of Vista Alegre), whose family curiously enough is related to Paul Symington. Graham bought the quinta in 1890.
Quinta da Vila Vehla belong private to the Symington family.
Quinta do Vale de Malhadas. This quinta is owned by three of the younger Symington partners and was acquired in 1999.
Quinta das Lages. This estate, one of the largest and finest in the Rio Torto Valley, is leased by Graham’s from a family who has sold their grapes to the company for over a century. It was bought in 1886 by Dr. Baltazar Augusto Ribeiro an ancestor to the present owners.
| Graham's Vintages: | 1842*, 1847, 1848*, 1853*, 1858, 1860*, 1861*, 1863, 1865*, 1867, 1868, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1875, 1878, 1880, 1881, 1884, 1885, 1887, 1890, 1892, 1894, 1896, 1897, 1901, 1904, 1908, 1909, 1912, 1916, 1917, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1927, 1931, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1941, 1942, 1943*, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1954* (Harvey & Son), 1955, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Graham's Malvedos Vintages: | 1887*, 1890, 1942, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998 |
| Quinta dos Malvedos Vintages: | 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021 |
| Graham's The Stone Terraces Vintages: | 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021 |
| Quinta das Lages Vintages: | 1926 |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1924 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Lovely coffee, tea, cacao and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 17.50 - 17.50 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Very complex and elegant. Mature with a wonderful finish. Quite extraordinary. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 23rd December 2003 | Point this date | 17.50 |
| Comment | At home with the family. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1935 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Complex liquorice, coffee and cacao bouquet. | Score range | 18.00 - 18.00 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Very complex and elegant. Mature with a wonderful and generous long finish. How lovely! | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 11th November 1999 | Point this date | 18.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1942 |
| Colour | Mature yellow almost tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Cinnamon, ginger, old grocery shop, liquorice, candy and much, much more in the nose. Quite wonderful. | Score range | 17.25 - 17.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature, peaking but continue to develop all the time in the glass. Very sweet but complex and balanced. Candy and liquorice in the taste and a lovely, long and attractive finish. What a port! | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 29th March 2013 | Point this date | 17.25 |
| Comment | At home with the family. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1945 |
| Colour | Rather mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Ginger, cinnamon and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 19.00 - 19.00 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking. Complex and balanced with a wonderful and never ending finish. What a port!! | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 26th June 1996 | Point this date | 19.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1948 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 8 |
| Bouquet | Bouquet of coffee, cacao, ginger and much more. | Score range | 16.75 - 18.90 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking. Complex and balanced with an enormous finish. Just wonderful. What a port!! | Average score | 17.89 |
| Last tasted | 15th December 2011 | Point this date | 18.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1955 |
| Colour | Beautiful mature, yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 8 |
| Bouquet | Eucalyptus, liquorice, fudge, toffee, crème caramel, crème candy, lovely spiciness and old grocery shop in the nose. Wonderful bouquet! | Score range | 17.00 - 18.75 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and at its peak. Toffee, crème caramel and a lot of wonderful tastes in the mouth. Complex, very elegant and balanced. Some elegant old acids and with a never ending finish. What a marvellous port! | Average score | 17.99 |
| Last tasted | 16th November 2017 | Point this date | 18.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. These bottles belong to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal’s Private Collection. We had 2 bottles bottled in 1957 and 1958. This was bottled 1957. In 2017 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2017 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1960 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Burned sugar and crème caramel in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature. Balanced port with a nice finish. Quite elegant. | Average score | 16.00 |
| Last tasted | 15th November 2007 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal’s Private Collection. In 2007 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1963 |
| Colour | Yellow and mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 13 |
| Bouquet | Chocolate, toffee, coffee, violet, old grocery shop and much more in the nose. | Score range | 16.50 - 18.50 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and on top. Cacao, toffee, chocolate and a lot of other things in taste. Elegant and balanced with a complex, long and attractive finish which just are marvellous! Lovely port indeed. | Average score | 17.57 |
| Last tasted | 20th March 2025 | Point this date | 17.40 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö, Sweden. In 2005 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2013 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1966 |
| Colour | Mature yellow very beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 25 |
| Bouquet | Liquorice, coffee, ginger, cinnamon, figs, sweet candy, cacao and much more in the nose. Very complex indeed. | Score range | 16.50 - 18.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature. and peaking Elegant and quite sweet. Balanced and very tasty of figs, toffee, sweet candy, some cacao and cinnamon and much more. Very complex, imposing and attractive with a never ending finish, just rolling in the mouth. What a lovely port! | Average score | 17.31 |
| Last tasted | 28th July 2022 | Point this date | 18.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family. 1 bottle has been defect In 2006 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1970 |
| Colour | Mature, yellow and very beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 32 |
| Bouquet | What a bouquet! Liquorice, violets, toffee, cream candy, herbs, cacao, chocolate, spring flowers and much more in the nose | Score range | 16.75 - 18.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and probably peaking but will last for many years ahead. Elegant, very complex and balanced with a wonderful finish which never seem to end and is just rolling in the mouth. This is a marvellous Port! Port is a wonderful drink! | Average score | 17.32 |
| Last tasted | 16th February 2025 | Point this date | 18.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in 21st International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port. In 2008 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1975 |
| Colour | Yellow and mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 22 |
| Bouquet | Bouquet of crème caramel, coffee, toffee, orange zest, old grocery shop, coffee, liquorice and spiciness. | Score range | 15.75 - 16.90 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking and perhaps starting to be a little old, but still very elegant, complex and quite generous. Crème caramel and spiciness in taste. Balanced with a lovely but maybe a little short finish. | Average score | 16.30 |
| Last tasted | 30th March 2025 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in 22nd International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port. This bottle was a Magnum 1 bottle has been defect. In 2006 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1977 |
| Colour | Mature, yellow and very attractive in colour. | Number of tastings | 36 |
| Bouquet | Chocolate, mulberry, cacao, roasted coffee beans, violet, spring flowers and liquorice in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 17.90 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking and now on top! Balance with cacao, toffee, crème caramel, coffee beans, spring flowers and much more in taste. Elegant, rather sweet, and complex with a long and attractive finish. As always a lovely port and very easy to drink and enjoy! | Average score | 99.99 |
| Last tasted | 10th April 2025 | Point this date | 17.90 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2010 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1980 |
| Colour | Medium dark ruby with slightly yellow rim in colour. | Number of tastings | 30 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, cacao, dark chocolate, ginger, candy, cream candy, old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 15.90 - 17.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and almost peaking. Cacao, dark chocolate some ginger, cream candy sweet liquorice and old grocery shop in flavour. Quite sweet. Balanced, complex and with a quite elegant and rather long finish. This bottle was a great disappointment to us. | Average score | 16.45 |
| Last tasted | 13th May 2025 | Point this date | 16.50 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in 23rd International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port. In 2014 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1983 |
| Colour | Medium dark ruby with very beautiful yellow mature rim in colour. | Number of tastings | 36 |
| Bouquet | Liquorice, ginger, cinnamon, bitter, cream candy, chocolate, toffee, fudge, vanilla and orange flowers in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 17.00 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking but maybe still with some round tannins and may improve a little. Toffee, fudge and bitter chocolate and much more in taste. Complex, elegant and balanced port with a wonderful, long, quite sweet and attractive finish. Drink it and love it! | Average score | 16.58 |
| Last tasted | 7th March 2023 | Point this date | 17.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in 11th International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port. In 2017 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1985 |
| Colour | Still very dark with a beautiful, yellow mature edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 33 |
| Bouquet | Liquorice, ginger, spring flowers, mint, toffee, crème caramel, cacao, chocolate and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 17.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Toffee, fudge, liquorice, mint, candy and much more in taste. Quite mature but will still improver. Balanced and complex with a very long, rolling and very elegant finish. Lovely Port indeed. | Average score | 16.66 |
| Last tasted | 10th April 2025 | Point this date | 17.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark. Two bottles have been defect. In 2020 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1991 |
| Colour | Still very nice dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 11 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, cream candy, candy, tea, ginger, cacao, dark chocolate and a hint of mint and Christmas raisin in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 17.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Quite mature almost mature but have still some elegant tannins. Quite sweet but balanced and very elegant. Toffee, candy, some spiciness, cacao, chocolate and much more in taste. A very attractive, long and lovely finish. Wonderful port! | Average score | 16.47 |
| Last tasted | 19th April 2024 | Point this date | 17.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1994 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but yellow and mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 21 |
| Bouquet | Coffee, cacao, dark chocolate, some crème caramel, coffee, spiciness, herbs, toffee, some violets, mint and liquorice in the nose. | Score range | 16.50 - 17.50 |
| Taste | Full body. Mature and almost peaking but will maybe be better due to some very round tannins. Sweet with taste of coffee, cacao, dark chocolate, toffee and much more in the mouth. Balanced, very elegant with a long, very attractive and very complex finish. Wonderful port indeed. | Average score | 17.01 |
| Last tasted | 10th April 2025 | Point this date | 17.50 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2024 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 1997 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but with a yellow, mature edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 7 |
| Bouquet | Roasted coffee, cacao and dark chocolate, herbs and some spiciness and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 17.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and almost peaking but still with some very round and elegant tannins and will probably improve. Coffee, cacao, roasted coffee, some spiciness and lots of other things in taste. Balanced and very with a long, lovely, attractive and intensive finish. | Average score | 16.75 |
| Last tasted | 10th April 2025 | Point this date | 17.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark. 1 bottle has been defect. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 2000 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but with a yellow and mature rim in colour. | Number of tastings | 16 |
| Bouquet | Violet, liquorice, spring flowers, toffee, crème caramel, cacao, dark chocolate, nuts, herbs and old grocery shop and in the nose. | Score range | 16.75 - 17.40 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Rather mature but of course still some soft and elegant tannin and will be better. Sweet. Balanced and complex. Violet, cacao, chocolate, mint liquorice and a lot of other wonderful things in the mouth. A long, elegant, very attractive and lovely finish. Very easy to drink and really enjoy. | Average score | 16.92 |
| Last tasted | 10th April 2025 | Point this date | 17.40 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 2003 |
| Colour | Still quite dark in colour but with a yellow edge. | Number of tastings | 8 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, chocolate, cacao, cream candy, crème caramel, some coffee beans, herbs, old grocery shop and much, much more in the nose. | Score range | 16.40 - 17.00 |
| Taste | Almost full-bodied. Still a bit immature with lovely round and very elegant tannins and will improve. Balanced with toffee, cream candy, cacao, chocolate, herbs in the mouth. Very elegant and very complex with a lovely and long finish. What will be? Will be interesting to follow! | Average score | 16.59 |
| Last tasted | 3rd April 2025 | Point this date | 17.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Big Fortified Tasting in London, Great Britain. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 2007 |
| Colour | Black in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Juicy and fruit most mulberries in the nose. | ||
| Taste | Full-bodied. Immature. Just fruit and we miss tannins. Just taste of dark cherry and berry in the finish. | ||
| Last tasted | 17th March 2011 | Rating this date | Impressive/ Very impressive |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 2011 |
| Colour | Still almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Dark berries such as mulberry, black berries and dark cherry but also some candy, cacao and chocolate in the nose. | Score range | 17.25 - 17.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Immature. Loaded with fruit and lots of lovely, round and attractive tannins. Balanced, very tasty and complex port, with a long and attractive and tannic finish which never seem to end. Very promising and will be wonderful to follow. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 10th April 2025 | Point this date | 17.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 2016 |
| Colour | Black and violet in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Lots of fruit and dark berries, mulberry, blackberry, blue berry, some mint and eukalyptus in the nose. | Score range | 16.50 - 16.50 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Of course very immature and full of fruit and dark berries in taste. Balanced and already quite elegant. The finish is long and very attractive and full of seductive tannins. Will be wonderful to follow! | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 24th September 2023 | Point this date | 16.50 |
| Comment | Tasted at Graham’s lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 2017 |
| Colour | Almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Dark mature berries such as mulberries, black berries, blue berries and dark cherries but also some orange zest, liquorice, cacao and some dark chocolate in the nose. | ||
| Taste | Full-bodied. Of course very immature and laden with mature fruit and dark berries such as mulberries, black berries, blue berries and some cacao in taste. The port is of course balanced and very elegant. The finish is long, intense, very attractive and laden with seductive and very attractive tannins. What a port! Will be wonderful to follow! | ||
| Last tasted | 1st November 2021 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
| Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark. Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham | Vintage | 2020 |
| Colour | Very deep ruby, almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Very fruity with a lot of dark berries such as mulberry and blackberry, and some mint in the nose | ||
| Taste | Full body. Elegant and balanced with soft and elegant tannins with a long finish. Very impressive. | ||
| Last tasted | 20th April 2023 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
| Comment | Tasted at the Big Fortified Tasting in London, Great Britain. Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB |
Old Colheita/Tawny tasting notes:
| House | 50 years old Tawny Graham | Tawny | |
| Colour | Amber tawny in colour with a greenish yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Lovely mature bouquet with lots of different thing to smell such as butterscotch, hazel nuts, dried fruit, burned sugar, orange blossoms and much more. | Bottled | |
| Taste | Full body. Mature and peaking. Balanced and very elegant with the sweetness balanced with a high acidity. Very tasty indeed, with a long, very complex and attractive finish. | Score range | |
| Last tasted | 24th November 2023 | Point this date | 18.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Portweinmesse in Leverkusen, Germany. | Tasters | JB |
| House | Single Harvest Tawny Graham | Colheita | 1974 |
| Colour | Amber tawny in colour with a hint of olive green colour on the rim. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Full of energy. A lovely mature bouquet with caramel, butterscotch, hazel nuts, dried fruit, burned sugar, orange and much more. | Bottled | 2024 |
| Taste | Full body. Sweet. Mature and peaking. Balanced and very elegant. The sweetness is balanced with a high acidity. Long, very complex and attractive finish. | Score range | |
| Last tasted | 22nd November 2024 | Point this date | 17.75 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Master class: Capela, with Rob Symington, at the Port Wine Festival in Leverkusen, Germany. This was from a six liter bottle. | Tasters | JB |