The tasting note for 1996 W J Graham's Malvedos Vintage Port is from Anthony Gismondi - In 'declared' vintage years the wines of Malvedos form the fundamental part of the blend which makes up Graham's Vintage Ports. In other years when there is not enough top quality wine for Graham's to declare a "vintage", the wine of Malvedos is bottled on its own, unblended, when two years old and left to mature in bottle like other Vintage Ports. But unlike declared Vintage Port, Malvedos Vintage is only shipped when ready for drinking by which time it is usually a decade old. The Quinta's name is derived from the notorious rapids known as the 'Malvedos' or 'bad ways' which existed below the property before dams were built on the Douro River. Look for big peppery, spicy, tea, licorice root, resiny, smoky garrigue nose with black plum jam. Fat, round, ripe and somewhat fiery palate with very peppery, spicy, smoky, black tea, blackberry and prune palate. A slightly dryer style with some tannin to shed. Needs another 3-4 years to soften. Good.