40 Year Old Tawny Port by Cálem -- Magnificent

[Eric Menchen]

Bottled in 1989, I knew this might not be a great bottle given the 21 years of bottle age. On the other hand, I thought it would be fun and interesting to try, and brought it to a dinner to share with Glenn E. and our wives. These notes are from memory five days later.

It was clear in the green glass bottle when pulled from the cellar rack, but after being in checked baggage for a flight from Denver to Seattle, it poured cloudy. It was definitely on the brown side, but hard to see in a dark restaurant. Aroma on the first and subsequent swirls was overly hot, so I avoided swirling after that, which allowed it to settle down into an nice tawny aroma. Faint fruit at first, which Kari said was apricot. I thought it was more like a stewed prune flavor. Nice toffee, caramel, and brown sugar. Not tannic nor particularly acidic. Medium body and finish.

This was labeled as "Magnificent", and while I thought it was very good, and maybe even wonderful, I don't think it was quite magnificent. I'm not sure if it is the brand, or more likely the 21 years of bottle age, but this wasn't up to the standards of other 30 and 40 year old tawnies I've tasted. It was more on the level of a 20. 92-93 points.

[Glenn E.]

That reminds me that I need to post a TN for this bottle too. I'll go do that!