Warres was alone for many years in continuing to make LBV in the same way as it had been made for generations; bottled without any fining or filtration after some 4 years of ageing in cask. This Port is then matured in bottle for at least another 4 years. This prolonged bottle ageing is crucial to the development of the superb nose and flavour which lend this Port a style and complexity very much akin to that of Vintage Port. Warres LBV is generally acknowledged to be the finest of its type. Food pairing suggestion: This wine is superb with cheese, nuts and dried fruits after a meal.
Ruby in colour. On the nose there are dark ripe fruit notes, reminiscent of plum, figs and blackcurrants. Full bodied and well balanced it has ripe berry fruit and mulberry flavours.
Attractive floral notes underline the pungent, aromatic raspberry fruit aromas. The palate is full of deliciously ripe cherry and raspberry fruit flavours with lovely nuances of honey and grapefruit. This innovative new Rose style of Port has been made by a new technique which extracts fresh, fruity flavours and a subtle and delicate pink colour from limited contact with the skins of classic Port grape varieties, grown in top quality vineyards of the Douro Valley. The result is wonderfully fresh and vibrant, full of the rich fruit flavours of Port but with a unique and distinctive appeal. It has created the perfect opportunity for Port to be consumed in the warmer months of the year when Port may not otherwise be the drink of choice. This port is best served chilled and is an excellent aperitif accompanied by roasted almonds or olives. It is also a delicious accompaniment to lighter desserts and fruit. Try some of the Croft Pink Cocktails. Or pour over ice and mix with soda.
Vintage Ports are made exclusively from the grapes of one harvest. Bottled after two years in casks, it is in the bottle that the long, slow, ageing process transforms the young wine into a magnificent Vintage Port. A Croft Vintage is only declared in years of optimum quality. These demanding standards mean that a Croft Vintage might be declared perhaps only two or three times in a decade. Vibrant ruby colour turning to brick on the rim. Intense, rich, jammy damson and strawberry fruit aromas. Good depth and complexity on the nose, with additional notes of spice and leather. Finely structured palate with great balance. Strong jammy, chocolate flavours - hint of eucalyptus. Lovely length on the finish
During the January following each vintage, Fonseca sets aside a reserve of very concentrated, powerful vintage quality red ports, selected primarily from the firm's own quintas and judged according to their ageing potential. These are placed in cask and cellared. Since wines from different vintages show variation in character, concentration and rate of maturation, tawny ports of age are blended across several vintages to maintain quality and continuity of style, and thus show an 'apparent', or average, age on the label rather than a vintage date. In the very old tawny ports of age, the actual age of each Port in the blend may vary as much as ten years, but in the younger tawnies variation is usually more on the order of five years or less.As tawny ports age, they grow lighter in colour, as they throw their deposit in the cask rather than in the bottle. The process of racking contributes to the oxidation process whereby the wine's fruit qualities gradually diminish and nutty characteristics are acquired. Moreover, Fonseca cellars its aged tawnies in the Douro rather than in Vila Nova de Gaia; the considerable difference in heat and humidity between these two areas lends Fonseca's tawny ports of age a very distinctive 'baked' richness reminiscent of butterscotch. Of an average cask age of ten years, this is a young port of russet colour with brilliant crimson highlights and a fragrant, ripe-fruit bouquet. Its smooth, silky texture and subtle oak nuances are balanced by a fresh acidity and tannic 'grip' that culminate in a long, elegant finish. Chill to just below cellar temperature (about 10 Deg C); any colder kills the aromas of this aged, complex port. In summer, serve at the end of the meal as a refreshing alternative. Also try as one of the few dessert wines to match chocolate. Blend of Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cao & Tinta Amarela.
An exceptionally fine old tawny blend, aged for an average of 10 years in oak casks. Elegant and smooth, combining delicate wood notes and rich mellow fruit, it is bottled for immediate drinking. Excellent with soft cheeses such as brie; and a superb dessert wine, particularly with dishes made with coffee or almonds, Taylor 10 Year Old Tawny is delicious served lightly chilled at the end of the meal.
Another magnificent and finely-balanced tawny of outstanding richness and complexity. The additional ten years of aging from the 10 year old, produces a fine balance between the rich, raisiny fruit and the nutty, honeyed finish - a taste to linger over. This rare port is traditionally enjoyed as a dessert wine or at the end of the meal.
An incredible example of an old Tawny port. A rarity, as few houses will make a 40 year old tawny. This wine is olive gold in colour with rich caramel, butterscotch, hazelnut flavours. The concentration in this port also produces a wine with amazing length, which lingers beautifully in the palate. Taylor's 40 Year Old Tawny is a very rare old tawny blend, produced in limited quantities. Selected red ports produced in the eastern areas of the Douro Valley, including Taylor's own estates, are matured in seasoned oak casks in Taylor's cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. Here the cool and damp coastal climate encourages a slow and gentle ageing process producing aromas of great complexity and finesse. The 40 years of ageing in wood have concentrated this wine almost to an essence, producing intense and complex nutty and spicy aromas and a dense and concentrated palate full of rich mellow flavour. The 40 Year Old tawny is bottled when ready to drink and does not require any further ageing in bottle.
Graham's 20 Years Old is made from wines of the very highest quality which, following careful selection, are matured in seasoned oak casks of 534 litres until their peak of maturity is reached. These are among the most demanding and challenging styles of Port to produce requiring great skill and years of experience from the winemaker and blender. It is essential to strike the correct balance between the delicacy and elegance which results from prolonged cask ageing while retaining the fruit quality which lends this old Tawny its structure and longevity. Graham's 20 Years Old represents superlative quality. Its principal attributes are great complexity and harmony. With an amber, golden tawny colour, denoting considerable age, Graham's 20 Years Old has an excellent bouquet, with a characteristic 'nutty' character (almonds) and delicious mature fruit with hints of orange peel, exquisitely mellowed by careful ageing. Rich, sweet and smooth on the palate, it is perfectly balanced, with a long and lingering finish. This is an excellent alternative to Vintage Port at less formal occasions and will keep for some weeks after opening. Graham's 20 Years Old pairs extremely well with nuts, dried fruits and fruitcake, but is also delicious as an accompaniment to vanilla ice cream or creme brulee. Serve slightly chilled to appreciate the full complexity and sensuous pleasure of this wine.
Graham's 30 Years Old is made from wines of the very highest quality which, following careful selection, are matured in seasoned oak casks of 534 litres until their peak of maturity is reached. These are among the most demanding and challenging styles of Port to produce requiring great skill and years of experience from the winemaker and blender. It is essential to strike the correct balance between the delicacy and elegance which results from prolonged cask ageing while retaining the fruit quality which lends this old Tawny its structure and longevity. Light, orange-tinted amber colour, magnificent perfumed nose with great class showing an array of dried fruits. Outstanding mature concentrated palate with full honeyed fruit, gorgeously mellowed. Simply delicious with an aftertaste that lasts and lasts. An excellent alternative to Vintage Port at less formal occasions. Will keep for some weeks after opening. Graham's 30 Years Old Tawny will surely make any lunch or dinner a memorable one. It is a fabulous accompaniment to dark chocolate, but can also be enjoyed on its own - it is an experience in itself.
Graham's 40 Years Old Tawny shows a golden amber colour, with a pale green tinge at the rim, denoting great age. Very complex with a powerful fragrance that belies its age. An array of flavours, from delicate fruit & raisins to toasted toffee & chocolate with an outstanding aftertaste. Time-honoured skills, craftsmanship and dedication are handed down from generation to generation at Graham's in the form of three unique arts - the art of blending, the art of cooperage and the art of ageing - to produce an extraordinary selection of Tawny Ports. A testament to time: Graham's 40 years Old is a witness to immemorial tradition. Graham's Master Blender composes this blend from wines put to aside in the cellar by his great-grand-father, his grand-father, his father and his uncles. He also sets aside wines for future generations. For those who appreciate the taste of time.
Fine deep tawny colour, with complex nutty aromas combined with hints of honey and figs. On the palate, rich mature fruit flavours, beautifully mellowed and a luscious long finish. Graham's 10 Years Old is made from wines of the very highest quality which, following careful selection, are matured in seasoned oak casks of 534 litres until their peak of maturity is reached. These are among the most demanding and challenging styles of Port to produce requiring great skill and years of experience from the winemaker and blender. It is essential to strike the correct balance between the delicacy and elegance which results from prolonged cask ageing while retaining the fruit quality which lends this old Tawny its structure and longevity.
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