Half of the lot for this wine comes from the Quinta da Cavadinha, Warre’s property on the western bank of the Pinhão River, a relatively cool site facing east. The balance is from Retiro, in the Rio Torto and Telhada, a property in the Douro Superior the Symingtons purchased in 2006. Old-vine mixed plantings make up 40 percent of the blend, lending it the kind of co-fermented complexity that makes this compellingly drinkable, delicious right now, as it will be for at least the next 20 or 30 years. Its graceful, reserved finish lasts with drive, a blend of green olive, blueberry skin, purple and blackberry flavors layered over the scent of roses, esteva, black pepper and the wild Douro scrub. If you’re looking to fall in love with Port, you could start here.
Wine & Spirits Magazine | 97 W&S
Offers seamless flavors of kirsch, chocolate, dark plum and allspice, fresh and elegant, with a towering structure and intense red berry accents. Unctuous and long on the finish, showing loads of grip. Best from 2030 through 2060. 3,000 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 96 WS
One of the best vintages for decades. Closed, dense with plenty of floral fruit underneath. Ripe, pure cherry-stone fruit palate, sweet and gentle, very beautiful at this stage, ripe tannic core extending through to the finish. Stunningly good.
Decanter | 96 DEC
Extremely floral and fruity with hints of lilacs and crushed fruit. Full body with refined tannins integrated with a solid core of fruit, and a rich, round texture. This is lightly sweet and follows through to a long, long finish. 3,000 cases produced of this mechanically trodden wine. Try in 2022.
James Suckling | 96 JS
A dark, black-fruited wine, with the fruit hanging off the hard tannins. The wine is dark and concentrated, the fruit expressing itself as fragrant black currants. This dry wine is very firm and destined for a serious, long-term future.
Wine Enthusiast | 96 WE
The Warre’s Vintage was picked beginning on September 18 at Quinta da Cavindha, with fruit also sourced from Quinta do Retiro and Quinta da Telhada. It is a blend of 37% Touriga Nacional, 23% Tinta Franca and 40% mixture of old vines. There is a lovely sea spray note on the 2011 Warre’s that emerges after ten minutes in the glass. It is nicely defined with a tangible mineral component. The palate is very well-balanced with fine tannins, very well-judged acidity and a languorous feel, as if everything is in place and it does not want to show off. This is a lovely, refined 2011 – one of the most elegant 2011s. This is a classic Warre’s. 3,000 cases declared. Tasted May 2013
Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93-95 RP
Bright ruby-red. Slightly high-toned aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate, violet and licorice. Lush on entry, then densely packed and sweet in the middle, with fruit-driven flavors of kirsch, black raspberry and cassis nicely support by sexy oak tannins. Surprisingly dry and classic on the finish, with harmonious acidity giving the wine terrific balance.
Vinous Media | 93 VM
