The Winter of 1990/1 was generally dry until early January, when there was heavy rain until March. April was also wet and flowering took place in May, in warm dry weather.
The summer was hot and dry and the flower set was excellent, resulting in a lot of fruit on the vines. Warm days and cool nights ensured long fermentations with excellent colour extraction. Sugar levels were above normal and, indeed, continued to rise during the course of the vintage.
Rain fell on the 29th September but, due to dryness of the soil, it did not enter the root system and there was no colour dilution. Picking resumed on the 30th under textbook conditions.
1991 was a split declaration year, with Taylor’s deciding not to declare a classic vintage port.