The Symington family has released 656 bottles of a Port that dates back to the arrival of their great-grandfather Andrew James Symington in Portugal in 1882.
The family has named this wine ‘Ne Oublie’ after the original Graham’s family motto and for the company where Andrew Symington started his life’s work.
Now 130 years later his direct descendants have bottled one of the remaining three barrels . The other two barrels have been entrusted to the next generation of the family and it is they who will decide their future, in 2025 at the earliest.
This extraordinary wine has been bottled in an individually numbered, hand-made crystal decanter designed by Portugal’s leading glass manufacturer Atlantis. Three sterling silver band, moulded and engraved by Scottish Silversmiths Hayward & stott, and carrying the mark of the Edinburgh Assay Office, adorn the glass. The decanter is presented in a bespoke presentation British brand Smythson of Bond Street, one of the world’s oldest luxury leather goods companies.
Hence, Ne Oublie represents the work of the very finest artisans of the three nations from which the Symington family is descended: Scotland, England and Portugal.
This is until now the best release of a Single Harvest Tawny Port (Colheita) by Graham, Although the 1969 and 1972 are extremely appealing too. The 1952 was released to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.
James Suckling 100 (July 2014) “Loads of dried fruit with apricot and Brazilian limes. Full body and very sweet. Bright acidity. The density and purity of this Port is astonishing. Honey, caramel and dried fruits. Gets fresher and fresher on the palate. Goes on for minutes. Leaves me speechless."
Roy Hersh 98 “This stunning Colheita looks like coffee or darkest amber in my Port glass with a yellow meniscus. The nose is intricately woven together with ethereal treacle, crème brulee and penetrating honeyed aromas. In the mouth this is just liquid velvet that is concentrated with Marzipan, hazelnuts and rich, melt-in-your-mouth butterscotch. This is a gloriously rich and refined Port with intense laser guided acidity providing perfect balance. How does one score a Port experience like this!”
Vintage: 1882
Alcohol content: 20%
Volume: 75 cl
Grapes: Blend of traditional grapes from the Douro
Cellaring: drink or keep for a few decades
Serving: 13 to 14 C
Last: 6 to 8 weeks after opening
Pairing: Simply on its own or with a Medium strength Vintage cigar
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