Croft 2009 Vintage Port

Henrik Larsen - Bought for my dad's 60th

9/10

Got this as a birthday present for my dad who's big into port. He absolutely loved it. We had some after dinner with stilton and it was incredible. Really smooth for something that's 20% ABV, no burn at all. The finish just lingers in a really pleasant way.

Camila Ortiz - Christmas Day winner

9/10

Opened this on Christmas Day and it was the star of the meal. Loads of dark fruit, almost like a really good jam but not too sweet. At 20% you'd expect it to be a bit of a bruiser but it's surprisingly smooth. Will definitely be buying another bottle to stash away.

Priscilla Nunes - Better than expected

8/10

I'm more of a red wine person normally but saw this on a menu at a restaurant and thought I'd try it. Really impressed — dark fruity, not overly sweet, and it had this interesting sort of resinous quality I wasn't expecting. Had to track down a bottle for home after that.

Aiko Tanaka - Needs more time maybe?

7/10

Had this at a friend's dinner party. It was nice enough, good fruit and well balanced, but I've read that 2009 vintage ports really benefit from more ageing. Felt like it hadn't quite hit its stride yet. Curious to try it again in a few years if I can get hold of another bottle.

Luciano Bianchi - Solid vintage port

8/10

Picked this up after the guy at the wine shop recommended it as a good intro to vintage port. Really rich dark fruit flavours, kind of like stewed plums and blackberries. £61.50 isn't cheap but for a vintage port from 2009 I think it's fair enough.

Kwame Mensah - Great with cheese

8/10

We cracked this open after a big roast dinner with a cheese board and it was perfect. Dark fruit compote vibes, really rich but not heavy if that makes sense. The sweetness is well balanced so it doesn't feel like drinking syrup. Good stuff from Croft.

Grace Kim - Nice but probably wouldn't rebuy at this price

7/10

It's good, don't get me wrong — lovely dark fruit and a nice violet-ish smell when you first pour it. But sixty-odd quid is a lot and I've had LBVs at half the price that I enjoyed just as much. One for a special occasion maybe.