Quarles Harris 1977 Vintage Port

Description

Quarles Harris 1977 Vintage Port is perfect for drinking now and is a great example of what a fully mature Vintage Port should be. It would also make a great 40th birthday present for anyone celebrating a birthday in 2017.

Quarles Harris is one of the oldest Port Houses. It was established in 1680 by Thomas Dawson and, over three centuries, has built an outstanding reputation for the quality of its Ports. There are written records dating back to 1689 for a shipment of 98 pipes of Port, which is oldest recorded shipment by a firm still trading today. The company remained in family hands until the 1920s when Reginald Quarles Harris sold the it to his cousin’s husband – Andrew James Symington. The company remains owned by the Symington Family Estates (owners of Dow, Graham, Warre, Vesuvio et al.) today.

Quarles Harris’ Ports are made from grapes sourced from vineyards in the Rio Torto and Pinhão valleys of the Upper Douro where Quarles Harris have been making and buying wines from small suppliers for centuries. In some of these Quintas the wine continues to be made by the time honoured traditional method of foot treading in granite “lagares” which produces first class Port. Charles Symington, head winemaker says that “without the tie to a specific quinta and terroir-driven style, Quarles Harris is an opportunity to “just have some fun making interesting, satisfying wines” from the grapes supplied to us by small producers.” Quarles Harri’s flavour profile is a firm and slightly dryer style than some other Ports.

Quarles Harris 1977 Vintage Port will require decanting, read our guide here.