Croft Vintage Port 2017
Product Information
Country Portugal
Region Douro
Grape Variety Port blend
Vintage 2017
ABV 20%
Buy Croft Vintage Port 2017 for a distinguished, cellar-worthy expression from one of Portugal’s historic Port houses. Produced from the exceptional 2017 vintage and strongly influenced by Croft’s renowned Quinta da Roêda estate, this is a deeply concentrated Vintage Port combining voluptuous dark fruit with firm tannins, freshness, and remarkable ageing potential.
At 20% ABV, Croft Vintage Port 2017 is a classic fortified dessert wine for collectors and enthusiasts seeking a serious Portuguese Vintage Port with both immediate character and long-term potential.
Why Choose Croft Vintage Port 2017?
The 2017 vintage has a personality all its own. While Croft’s house style is known for opulent fruit, silky texture and exotic aromatics, the unusually dry growing season added extra density, tannic grip, and structure.
The 2017 harvest at Quinta da Roêda began on 31 August – the earliest start for more than 70 years. A very dry spring and summer encouraged early vine development, while cooler August nights helped preserve balance as the grapes reached maturity. The result was exceptionally concentrated must from thick-skinned grapes, particularly from older vineyard plots.
This makes the Croft Vintage Port 2017 particularly distinctive compared with earlier Croft vintages: it retains the house's signature lush, aromatic fruit, but adds greater weight, density, and tannic backbone.
Vintage-Specific Tasting Notes
In the glass, Croft Vintage Port 2017 shows a dense inky colour fading towards a magenta rim.
The nose opens with ripe blackcurrant, black cherry, and raspberry, followed by more complex layers of eucalyptus, gumcistus, sage and mint. Subtle grapefruit and spice add freshness and lift.
On the palate, the wine is full, rich, and velvety, with firm, sinewy tannins providing a powerful framework beneath the generous fruit. Its combination of concentration, freshness and structure gives the finish considerable persistence.
Croft describes the 2017 as one of its finest vintages of recent years, with the characteristic fruit and silky texture of Quinta da Roêda enhanced by the exceptional density of the year.
How Critics Rated Croft Vintage Port 2017
The vintage received outstanding scores from leading international wine critics:
97/100 – James Suckling
97/100 – Wine Spectator, James Molesworth
96/100 – Decanter, Richard Mayson
95/100 – Robert Parker Wine Advocate, Mark Squires
94/100 – Vinous, Neal Martin
17.5/20 – Jancis Robinson
James Suckling highlighted its blueberry, blackberry and violet character alongside firm, chewy tannins, while Wine Spectator emphasised its dark fruit, spice, tobacco, and exceptionally persistent finish. Decanter praised the contribution of south-facing Quinta da Roêda and described the wine as dense, generous, and vibrant.
Winemaking & Quinta da Roêda
Croft Vintage Port 2017 is a field blend from the Douro, with fruit associated with the historic Quinta da Roêda, Croft’s flagship estate. The wine was aged for approximately 20 months in French oak before bottling.
David Guimaraens, Croft’s Technical Director and Head Winemaker, has led winemaking across the Croft estate and the wider Fladgate Partnership. His comments on 2017 emphasise the unusually early harvest and the combination of exceptional depth, density, tannic grip and minerality created by the vintage conditions.
Food Pairings for Croft Vintage Port 2017
The richness and concentration of this Port make it an excellent partner for strongly flavoured foods. Serve it with Stilton, Roquefort, or other mature blue cheeses, where the sweetness balances salt and intensity.
It is equally suited to dark chocolate desserts, chocolate truffles, black-cherry desserts, and rich berry puddings. For a classic end to a special meal, serve it slightly chilled alongside a carefully selected cheese course.
Serving & Cellaring
Serve Croft Vintage Port 2017 at around 16–18°C. Decanting is recommended, particularly when enjoying the wine young, to help open its dense fruit and complex aromatics.
This is a Vintage Port designed for extended ageing. Wine Advocate noted that the 2017 was still extremely young and expected it to develop significantly with further bottle maturity, while Wine Spectator suggested a drinking window extending from 2035 to 2060.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Croft Vintage Port 2017 a good investment wine?
A. It has many characteristics sought by collectors, including an exceptional vintage, strong critic scores, concentration, and significant ageing potential. As with all wine purchases, however, future investment performance cannot be guaranteed.
Q. When should I drink Croft Vintage Port 2017?
A. It can be enjoyed now with careful decanting, but its structure and concentration mean it should reward substantial further bottle ageing. Critics have identified considerable long-term potential.
Q. What food goes with Croft Vintage Port 2017?
A. Blue cheese is a classic pairing. Dark chocolate, chocolate desserts, and rich berry-based desserts also complement its concentrated fruit and sweetness.
Where is Croft Vintage Port 2017 made?
It comes from Portugal's Douro region, with Quinta da Roêda playing a particularly important role in the wine's character.
What makes the 2017 vintage special?
The 2017 growing season was exceptionally dry and advanced, resulting in an unusually early harvest and grapes with remarkable concentration. The vintage combines Croft's characteristic voluptuous fruit with greater density, grip, and structure.
