Graham's Port Colheita 1997
€ 145.85
Deep orange-brown centre with intense coppery hues along the rims. Aromas of quince preserve (marmalade) with traces of vanilla and soft caramel and hints of honey and raisins. The wood ageing is reflected in the delicate almond and marzipan notes. An appealing smoky element is just perceptible in the background. Bright red fruit flavours, rounded by cask-ageing but still fresh and vital with an underlying citric acidity which gives the wine balance and poise. Satisfyingly long aftertaste with a subtle combination of walnuts, tea and tobacco.
A new edition joins Graham's Cellar Master's Trilogy.
Graham's introduces 'The Apprentice', a Single Harvest Tawny Port from the 1997 vintage, the latest addition to the renowned Cellar Master's Trilogy. This special release marks the beginning of the winemaking career of Head Winemaker Charles Symington, now the fourth generation within the family. The Apprentice joins two other icons in the series: The Artisan from 1974 and The Master from 1950. The edition replaces the 1994 Single Harvest Tawny, the last cask of which has been bottled and released.
In 1997, a young Charles Symington worked side by side with his father Peter, from whom he learned all the finer points of winemaking over more than ten years. That year's harvest yielded exceptional wines — some were bottled immediately as Vintage Port, while the very best selection was set aside for long-term aging in oak. After 25 years of careful oversight, Charles personally selected the remaining casks for a limited bottling.
The Apprentice preserves the youthful freshness of the harvest, refined by decades of aging in matured oak. The result is a wine of remarkable balance and elegance. On the nose, it displays aromas of quince jam, a hint of vanilla, soft caramel, and raisins. On the palate, the red fruit aromas remain surprisingly lively and fresh, supported by a subtle citrusy acidity.
Charles Symington describes it aptly himself: "This wine is particularly personal to me; it marks the beginning of my own journey as a winemaker. After two and a half decades of aging, it is beautifully rounded and balanced. A perfect expression as the youngest of three Single Harvest Tawnies that together form The Cellar Master's Trilogy."
The Cellar Master's Trilogy won the award for Best Design for Fortified Brand at the Wine Design Challenge in 2020, a recognition of both the content and the form of this exceptional series.
Food-Pairing
Delicious with slightly sweetened desserts such as crème brûlée, dried fruits and as an aperitif
Grapes: Tinta Barroca,Tinta Cão,Tinta Roriz,Touriga Francesa,Touriga Nacional
The 1997 growing season in the Douro was unusual. An incredibly cold winter saw snow settle right across the Douro Valley followed by unseasonably hot and dry weather in February and March. High temperatures in the lead up to the harvest brought about an excellent final ripening period resulting in a year with low yields but incredible concentration and balance
Winemaker: Charles Symington & Henry Shotton
Alcoholcontent
20%
Store & Serve
Serve at cellar temperature at 12 - 15ºC. After opening, this port can be kept for at least 8 xrrkd
92/100 - Vinum Wine Magazine Tasted: May 2025. When to drink: 2026 to 2046
94/100 - Wine Enthusiast Tasted: Nov 2022
This Port, blended with grapes grown in a single year, is dense, smooth with toffee and dried fruits. The spirit is just there, giving a tight bite at the end. Drink this memorable wine now. Roger Voss
95/100 - Falstaff Tasted: Apr 2026
Medium golden brown, ochre reflections, broad rim brightening. Fine notes of roasted nuts, dried fruit and candied orange zest, nougat touch, inviting, multi-faceted bouquet. Juicy, pickled cherries, silky tannins, integrated sweetness, finesse-rich, dancing style on the palate, a hint of roasted tannins on the finish, very good length, an ideal partner for a fruity, chocolatey Havana. (PM)
Producer: Graham's
Region: Douro
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