Taylor’s Port Launches First Very Very Old White

Taylor’s has released the world’s first Very, Very Old White Port, a rare wine made from White Ports aged more than eighty years in seasoned oak barrels.

Historic reserve and the bottling milestone

The new offering, dubbed VVOP White, comes from a tiny reserve of historic White Ports, some dating back to 1896. It marks the first time the House of Taylor’s, a leading port producer for over three centuries, has bottled an aged White Port. The wine reflects generations of foresight, patience and stewardship, according to the company’s managing director.

“This is much more than launching a new Port wine. It is the culmination of generations of knowledge, patience and dedication,” said Adrian Bridge, Managing Director. He added that leading a company with such a long history “is both an honour and a responsibility.”

What makes the wine unique

The blend’s component wines were laid down by people who will never see them bottled. Each subsequent generation inherited the task of caring for the barrels, preserving the liquid and deciding whether to share it.

When some of the wines were first placed in cask, the Douro Valley had no electricity, grapes were still trodden by foot, and Port travelled to Vila Nova de Gaia on traditional barcos rabelos. Some of the vineyards that produced these wines no longer exist, now submerged beneath the Douro waters.

David Guimaraens, Taylor’s head winemaker and master blender, said working with such old ports “honours the work of people who are no longer here.” He noted that time has given the wine “extraordinary depth while preserving remarkable elegance and freshness.”

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The wine shows a luminous amber‑gold colour. Its bouquet unfolds in layers of dried apricot, almond biscotti, candied orange peel, wild lavender, jasmine and orange blossom. On the palate, notes of roasted hazelnuts, almonds, tonka bean, blood orange, honeycomb and saffron appear, backed by lively acidity and a touch of salinity that leads to a long, elegant finish.

The release embodies the core belief that the finest things cannot be hurried, a philosophy that has guided Taylor’s for more than three centuries. By committing each generation to protect and nurture these ancient casks, the house demonstrates a continuity of purpose that extends far beyond commercial ambition.

Collector interest in exceptionally old White Ports has been rising, prompting Taylor’s to bring this closely guarded treasure to market. The decision to unveil the wine reflects a broader trend among connoisseurs who seek wines that tell a story of place, time, and the hands that tended them.

Each component of the blend originates from vineyards that have vanished beneath the Douro’s reservoir, meaning the wine now carries the memory of terroirs that can never be replanted. This irrevocable loss adds a layer of historical significance, as the liquid itself becomes the sole surviving witness to a vanished setting.

Guimaraens’ role extends beyond blending; he must balance the decades‑long oxidation with the wine’s inherent freshness, ensuring that the final product retains both depth and vibrancy. His stewardship shows the delicate responsibility of managing wines that have already surpassed a typical lifespan.

By offering VVOP White in extremely limited release, Taylor’s shows the rarity of the wine and positions it as a collectible artifact for the most discerning palates. The strategic placement through select fine‑wine merchants ensures that the wine reaches an audience appreciative of its historic and sensory complexity.