Wine Club Bonus Tasting – Port

We had some extra cash in the kitty, so Wine Club decided to have a bonus tasting. This would be our first look at fortified wines as we were trying the 10 year old and the 20 year old Taylor Fladgate Tawny Ports. I brought in some Stilton and St. Agur blue cheese to go with the port.

I have reviewed the Taylor Fladgate 20 year old a number of times on this blog so I won’t go into much detail. The 10 year old Taylor Fladgate was a big surprise as I haven’t been a big fan of it in the past but the one we tried was really good. Usually there is a world of difference between the 10 and 20 year version, but they were much closer than usual and that makes the price difference between the two harder to justify.

Both were excellent with the cheeses and slowly sipping on both while nibbling on the cheese and crackers made it a fun way to kill a lunch hour.

Here is the LCBO information on both

Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port

VINTAGES# 121749
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 34.95
Wine, Port,
19.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : S
Made in: Portugal, Portugal
By: Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman
Release Date: Oct 11, 2008

Description - With these top-of-the-line Tawnies with age indication, Taylor Fladgate aims to create a consistent quality year in and year out.

Tasting Note - A refined and subtle Port. Outstanding. Lovely aromas of flan, caramel and egg custard with a hint of toffee. Medium-bodied, with a light sweetness and a refined, clean finish. Tastes older than 10 years. Drink now. Score - 91. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Sept. 15, 2003)

Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port

VINTAGES# 149047
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 68.95
Wine, Port,
20.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : S
Made in: Douro, Portugal
By: Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman
Release Date: Dec 6, 2008

Description - After 300 years of continual Port production, Taylor Fladgate can rightly claim to be masters at their craft. This ready-to-serve aged Tawny is close to perfection. Match it with crème brûlée or hazelnut torte to fully appreciate Taylor's trademark rich apricot and dried-fruit flavours and lengthy, nutty, honeyed finish. Just as with the 10-year-old version (121749, $34.95), once opened this will last for several weeks.

As you can see the 20 is almost twice the price which most years it is worth it but I think this year I may pick up the 10 year old instead.

Cheers!

Mark