Taylor Fladgate 30-Year-Old Tawny Port

Description

Toffee and salted nuts. Caramel. Smoke. Dried cherry. Full-bodied. Medium sweet. Lots of dried fruit and butterscotch. Small amount of tannin tension gives this a sense of freshness. Drink now. [Though ready to drink upon release, and, strictly speaking, not intended for cellaring, this wine will continue to evolve for decades, should you wish to follow it.] Score - 95. (jamessuckling.com, June 4, 2023)

Tasting Notes

This release of Taylor Fladgate's 30 year old tawny was bottled in 2014, and shows clear and evident maturity. At this stage, virtually all of the fruit has shifted into the fully dried/rancio spectrum or disappeared altogether in favour of purely nutty, treacle, caramel, old wood, old canvas, caramelized orange peel notes, and so much more. Where this port really excels, however is on the palate. The texture is absolutely beguiling, firm yet silky, taught yet giving and generous, with a finish that rivals War and Peace for sheer length. This is truly an extraordinary tawny, which admittedly, even at this price, is a remarkable bargain considering that there is some wine from the 19th century included in the blend. Sheer elegance. Outstanding barely begins to cover this wine. Score - 98. (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com, Aug. 28, 2014)

Tags

Fortified Wine, Port, S - Sweet, Sweet, Tawny Port, Wine