The maiden 2017 Serikos from Croft comes from the oldest vines located in Quinta da Roêda. The name refers to the quinta's involvement in silk production and the texture of the wine. It was picked from August 31 and was notable for the density of its musts from the thick-skinned grapes. Almost opaque in colour, it has a spellbinding bouquet of intense blackcurrant, crushed violet petals and later, star anis and camphor. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannin, a silver bead of acidity that slices through the multi-layered, intense black fruit laced with white pepper and sage. This is endowed with unerring symmetry, predictably a silky texture and outstanding crispiness towards the never-ending finish. Regal. Total production is 2,425 bottles.
97 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Jun 2019)
Extremely floral with blackberries and blueberries on the nose that follow through to a full body, very sweet yet tannic palate that shows structure and power. Chewy and grippy at the finish. Give it at least four to five years to soften. Try after 2024.
97 points, James Suckling (Jun 2019)
A beautifully juicy wine, packed with firm tannins and with great black fruits already in balance. The wine has style, never hinting too much at power, instead going for complexity. Drink from 2030.
95 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (Dec 2019)
This is the first release of Serikos, blended from the old-vine parcels viticulturist António Magalhaes has sustained at Croft’s Quinta da Roêda since it became part of the Fladgate Partnership in 2001. David Guimaraens transformed that fruit into a Port that’s drenched with flavor, its tannins plush. The warmth of the vintage comes through in the wine’s notes of blueberry pie and raspberry coulis, but there’s nothing dried or dimpled about them; it tastes instead, as if the vines were refreshed by the rain that came in early July, and their deep roots survived on that moisture for the rest of the season. A sturdy vintage, with notes of black-raspberry seeds, tobacco and ginger adding complexity to the structure, this has a long life ahead.
95 points, Wine & Spirits (Oct 2019)