Symington Family Estates-owned Graham’s Port* has revealed a new look for its 2018 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port, introducing a tapered bottle and refreshed label.
The presentation follows a +25% increase in volume sales of Graham’s LBV from 2019 to 2023. According to Graham’s, the new presentation celebrates the wine’s quality and aligns it to the design of the brand’s other premium ruby ports.
Underlining the brand’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the new 450g bottle is -18% lighter than the previous Graham’s LBV bottle. Graham’s signature Reserve Ruby Port Six Grapes is also presented in the same lighter bottle.
The revamped LBV label takes inspiration from the colourful LBV tubes. Available in Graham’s green, burnt orange and aubergine purple, the three tubes are created using marbled paper which is submerged in paint to achieve the desired patterns and textures.
A similar marbled design effect features on the 2018 LBV label and golden capsule. The tubes have also been refreshed, with the metal base being replaced with carton, making each tube significantly easier to recycle.
According to Graham’s, its 2018 LBV was “born from a challenging year in the Douro Valley”, with a “rollercoaster” growing season of winter drought, heavy spring rains and heatwaves through the final ripening period in August. “Yields were very low, which produced high-quality wines with good concentration,” the brand added.
Graham’s 2018 was aged for five years in oak vats. It offers notes of blackcurrant and blackberry, followed by dried mint leaf, eucalyptus and liquorice, complemented by layers of cocoa, black plum and hints of white pepper.
Graham’s Port Brand Manager, and fifth-generation family member, Vicky Symington said: “In the last few years since the introduction of the colourful, handcrafted LBV tubes, we have seen an increase in visibility, excitement and sales of our Graham’s LBV.
“We have been working on taking this to the next level with the introduction of this new bottle. With its rounded shoulders and elegant tapered body, together with the enhanced label and capsule, this new presentation celebrates the beauty of the wine and links it to the rest of the Graham’s portfolio.”
*The 2018 Late Bottled Vintage Port will be highlighted by Symington Family Estates at the upcoming TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, 1-5 October (Blue Village F6). 
