Graham's
W. & J. Graham & C:a
Founded | 1820 |
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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 |
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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 |
Graham's The Stone Terraces Vintages: | 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
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 | Dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 12 |
Bouquet | Chocolate, toffee, coffee, violet and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 16.50 - 18.50 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and on top. Cacao and toffee in taste. Elegant and balanced with a complex, long and attractive finish which just are marvellous! Lovely port indeed. | Average score | 17.58 |
Last tasted | 17th May 2018 | Point this date | 17.75 |
Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. 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 | Still rather dark but mature, yellow and beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 30 |
Bouquet | What a bouquet! Liquorice, violets, toffee, cream candy, herbs, spring flowers and much more in the nose | Score range | 17.90 |
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 PORT! Port is a wonderful drink! | Average score | 17.27 |
Last tasted | 16th December 2021 | Point this date | 17.25 |
Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. 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 beautiful mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 21 |
Bouquet | Bouquet of crème caramel, coffee, toffee, orange zest, old grocery shop 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 nice finish. | Average score | 16.30 |
Last tasted | 9th September 2020 | Point this date | 16.90 |
Comment | 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 | 1977 |
Colour | Mature, yellow and very attractive in colour. | Number of tastings | 34 |
Bouquet | Chocolate, mulberry, cacao, violet and spring flowers, a hint of roasted coffee and liquorice in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 17.75 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking but still with a hint of tannin and will maybe be better. Cacao, toffee, crème caramel and spring flowers in taste. Elegant and complex with a balanced and a long attractive finish. As always a lovely port and very easy to drink and enjoy! | Average score | 16.97 |
Last tasted | 4th November 2022 | Point this date | 17.90 |
Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Leverkusen, Germany 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 | Still surprisingly very dark with a yellow edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 28 |
Bouquet | Mulberry, dark cherry, toffee, cacao, dark chocolate, ginger and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 17.25 |
Taste | Full bodied. Mulberry, cacao, dark chocolate some ginger and sweet liquorice in flavour. Quite sweet. Still some soft tannin and may improve a little but is rather mature. Complex and very elegant. Balanced with a long, lingered and wonderful finish. | Average score | 16.41 |
Last tasted | 11th January 2020 | Point this date | 17.25 |
Comment | Tasted at a dinner in a Wine Friend’s home. 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 | Still rather dark but beautiful yellow and mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 34 |
Bouquet | Liquorice, ginger, cinnamon, bitter, cream candy, chocolate, toffee, fudge, vanilla and orange flowers in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 17.25 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking. Toffee, fudge and bitter chocolate and much more in taste. Complex, elegant and balanced port with a wonderful, long, quite sweet and very attractive finish. Drink it and love it! | Average score | 16.57 |
Last tasted | 15th July 2022 | Point this date | 17.25 |
Comment | At home with the family. 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 | Quite dark and beautiful, yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 26 |
Bouquet | Liquorice, ginger, dried fruit, mint, toffee 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 maybe be better.. Complex with a very long and very elegant finish. Lovely Port indeed. | Average score | 16.61 |
Last tasted | 1st November 2021 | Point this date | 17.25 |
Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark. One bottle has 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 | 10 |
Bouquet | Toffee, cream candy, candy, tea, ginger, cacao and a hint of mint and Christmas raisin in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 17.00 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Quite mature but have quite a lot of soft tannins and will be better. Quite sweet but balanced and very elegant. Toffee, candy, some spiciness and cacao in taste. A very attractive and quite long finish. | Average score | 16.37 |
Last tasted | 1st May 2020 | Point this date | 17.00 |
Comment | Tasted at home with the family. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Graham | Vintage | 1994 |
Colour | Still quite dark but yellow mature quite beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 12 |
Bouquet | Coffee, cacao, dark chocolate, spiciness, herbs, toffee, some violets, and liquorice in the lovely nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 17.25 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Rather mature and almost peaking but will be better due to delicate and round tannins. Quite sweet, coffee, cacao, some dark chocolate and spiciness in taste but also herbs and toffee in the mouth. Balanced and very elegant with a long, very elegant and complex finish. Wonderful port indeed! | Average score | 16.71 |
Last tasted | 31st March 2022 | Point this date | 17.25 |
Comment | Tasted at the Big Fortified Tasting in London, Great Britain | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Graham | Vintage | 1997 |
Colour | Dark ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 5 |
Bouquet | Roasted coffee, cacao and dark chocolate, a hint of mulberry and some spiciness in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.50 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Immature and will be much better. Still with a lot of tannins. Coffee, cacao and some spiciness in taste. Balanced and complex with a long and very tannic finish. | Average score | 16.38 |
Last tasted | 7th March 2019 | Point this date | 16.50 |
Comment | At home in our Private Wine Group. 1 bottle has been defect. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Graham | Vintage | 2000 |
Colour | Garnet with a yellow mature rim. | Number of tastings | 9 |
Bouquet | Violet, liquorice, toffee, crème caramel, cacao, dark chocolate, nuts and old grocery shop and in the nose as well as some mint and mature plum. | Score range | 16.70 - 16.90 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Rather mature but of course still some soft and elegant tannin and will probably be much better. Sweet. Balanced and very complex. Violet, cacao, chocolate and liquorice in taste. Long, elegant and lovely finish. Very easy to drink and really enjoy. | Average score | 16.76 |
Last tasted | 4th November 2022 | Point this date | 16.90 |
Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Leverkusen, Germany. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Graham | Vintage | 2003 |
Colour | Still very dark in colour but with a yellow edge. | Number of tastings | 4 |
Bouquet | Very fruity and still dark berries but also with som chocolate and cacao in the nose. | Score range | 16.40 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Still a bit immature with lovely round and very elegant tannins. Will improve a lot. Balanced with fruit, dark berries, cacao, chocolate and much more in the mouth. Very elegant and very complex with a lovely, long and exciting finish. What will be? Will be interesting to follow! | Average score | 16.20 |
Last tasted | 5th October 2022 | Point this date | 16.40 |
Comment | Tasted at home in 9th International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port. | 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 | Black in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Juicy and dark berry, most mulberries in the nose. | ||
Taste | Full-bodied. Immature. Loaded with fruit and lots of tannins. Very tasty and complex but hard to swallow. Long and attractive finish. Very promising and will be wonderful to follow. | ||
Last tasted | 4th November 2013 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
Comment | 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 | 2016 |
Colour | Black and violet in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
Bouquet | Dark berry, mulberry, blackberry, blue berry and laden with fruit in the nose. | ||
Taste | Full-bodied. Of course very immature and laden with fruit and dark berries in taste. Balanced and already quite elegant. The finish is long and very attractive and laden with seductive tannin. Will be wonderful to follow! | ||
Last tasted | 30th November 2018 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
Comment | At the Port Wine Festival, Leverkusen, Germany. Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | 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 | Almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Lots of dark berries such as mulberry, dark cherry and black berry but also mature fruit and much more in the nose. | ||
Taste | Full-bodied. Wonderful round and elegant tannins. Balanced and very tasty and complex with a long wonderful and exciting finish. What will be? Interesting to follow. | ||
Last tasted | 4th November 2022 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Leverkusen, Germany Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB |