As a port novice I am slightly confused. In looking at Taylor VP some bottles have Taylor Fladgate, others simply Taylor. Obviously the wines are made by the same house and Taylor Fladgate and Taylor are one in the same (so I think). Why then, are there different labels? When looking at older vintages should I choose one over the other?

Taylor has changed the way they present themselves on the label over the years; I assume for marketing reasons. The full name is Taylor, Fladgate and Yeatman which is how my 1970's are labeled. Now they call themselves "Taylor's", for branding simplicity, I suppose, even though the last time I saw the "coat of arms" logo an a bottle, it still said "Taylor, Fladgate". It's all the same producer. Take a look at their website.(taylor.pt)

ther'es a crappy ny winery called TAYLOR PORT but probably would never get confused with the Taylor Fladgate vintage ports.

There are also different bottlers for port. where people will get together buy a barrel and bottle their own. Wine Society comes to mind as their own bottler of port. Mayor and Sworder is another.

Also alot of older ports are relabeled, ever wonder why a 1963 vintage port looks so nice and clean? Probably relabeled.