Warre’s, Porto (Douro Valley, Portugal) 2016

 It was not a surprise that 2016 was declared a Port vintage, but it was a surprise that 2017 was declared as well, the first time since 1872 and 1873 that successive vintages of Port were generally declared by most houses.  The 2016 was perhaps the more elegant of the two, and this Warre’s vintage holds form.  My overall evaluation was very smooth while still being pleasantly assertive.  The flavors are elderberry, dark cherry and a little chocolate with lots of walnuts followed by a pop-up of fresher fruit in the finish.  Still quite young, of course.