1994 Martinez Vintage Port

Martinez was founded in 1790 by the Spaniard Sebastian Gonzalez Martinez, who sold Port, sherry and cigars from an office in Mincing Lane in the City of London. In 1822 he was joined by an Englishman, John Peter Gassiot, a Member of The Royal Society and a great friend of Faraday the famous scientist. By the time Sebastian Martinez retired in 1849, the company had become the largest shipper of Port to the UK, with its own lodges in Oporto acquired in 1834. Martinez Gassiot was well known for its swift sailing ships, the “Betsy” and the “Maria Manuela”, which carried its wines from Oporto to the West Country of England. In fact it is recorded that the “Maria Manuela” was one of the last sailing boats of its kind to carry Port before this method of transport was supplanted by the age of steam. Martinez Gassiot’s fortunes sadly declined in the first half of the twentieth Century, and in 1960 the firm was sold to Harvey’s of Bristol, which in turn became owned by Allied Domecq. In 2006 the firm was acquired by the Symington Family who have set out to revitalise the Martinez brand and reinforce its reputation for fine Vintage Ports. Symington Family Estates are the leading producers of premium quality Ports. The combined sales of the family’s Port companies make up over a third of all premium Port sold throughout the world. Martinez wines are sourced mainly from the Pinhão and Rio Torto valleys and are vinified under contract at Symington Family Estates’ winery at Quinta do Sol. Six members of the Symington family now oversee winemaking and blending for Martinez Ports. Martinez produced some outstanding Vintage Ports in the 20th Century. James Suckling wrote in the Wine Spectator of the 1994 Martinez Vintage Port. “The sleeper of the vintage. A stunning, huge, amazingly young Port that makes your mouth pucker in delight. Full-bodied and medium-sweet, with masses of fruit and tannins. Best after 2012.” 97 out of 100 points.