Graham is another great port house, producing one of the deepest-colored and sweetest styles of vintage port. Along with Taylor and Fonseca, Graham has probably been the most consistent producer of great port in the post- World War II era. Their tawnys are quite good rather than exceptional, but their vintage ports are truly sublime and sumptuous. The 1970 is a monumental vintage port and one of the greats of the vintage. It begs to be drunk now, although it will last for at least another two decades.

Graham is another great port house, producing one of the deepest-colored and sweetest styles of vintage port. Along with Taylor and Fonseca, Graham has probably been the most consistent producer of great port in the post- World War II era. Their tawnys are quite good rather than exceptional, but their vintage ports are truly sublime and sumptuous. The 1970 is a monumental vintage port and one of the greats of the vintage. It begs to be drunk now, although it will last for at least another two decades.

Tasted at John E. Fells portfolio tasting. A Porto bottling this, but with a definite Bordeaux-like nose! Well defined, foursquare at first, opening up nicely with maraschino cherries, cloves, burnt wood/embers and bergamot, gaining intensity all the time in the glass. The palate is very harmonious and elegant (not dissimilar in texture to a ’63 opened a couple of months earlier.) Fleshy, harmonious, seductive on the palate with allspice, nutmeg and ginger sprinkled over the viscous finish and finally, freshly rolled tobacco on the aftertaste. Good length, powerful like many of the 1970 ports continue to be. Superb. Drink now-2020+ Tasted September 2009.

Tasted as part of the Symington's event at the Portuguese embassy in London to launch the Graham's and Warre's 2020 anniversary ports and celebrate 650 years of Anglo-Portuguese friendship. A wet winter with a cold and dry March. Warm weather in April was ideal for flowering. Spring and summer were calm and settled. Rain fell in late August and early September. Harvesting started at Malvedos on 21 September. Good weather throughout the vintage. Winemakers James and Peter Symington. TA 4.05 g/l. 'Drinking history', says Johnny Symington. This was t heir first declaration of Graham's. Browning core with tawny rim but still some red in the colour. Lovely herbal scent with hints of bitter orange, plus figs, complex scented dried fruits but not at all raisined, tannins still have a little bit of friction but there's an incredible amount of fruit even now, and silky on the finish. Deep and gently chewy with the intense freshness of spiced bitter orange. Port expert Richard Mayson described it as 'one of the post-war greats'. Fabulous length and unfolds in the glass. Great freshness. (JH)

Tasted blind. Mid tawny. A touch of spirit, dried cherry and pot pourri. On the palate, dried cherry, fig, sweet spice and a floral touch. Length attenuated by some alcohol. (TJ)