Quinta da Romaneira 40 Year Old Tawny Port

[Glenn E.]

Part of the case I purchased directly from the Quinta. I took this bottle to NYC for a dinner with David Spriggs and Eric Ifune the night before the start of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.

Quinta da Romaneira 40-yr old Tawny

Color: Dark tawny, mahogany-like, with orange-red highlights. Clear in the glass which was a bit of a surprise considering its 6-hour flight from Seattle the same day.

Nose: Some alcohol, but of the fragrant variety. Lots of vanilla, caramel, and aromatic wood (sandalwood?). Also some coffee, but a lighter roast... not a burned Starbucks-style roast.

Palate: Creamy, sweet, full bodied. But also a little bit of a tangy/tart edge. Blood orange, toffee, dried apricot, and brown sugar. Nicely balanced acidity.

Finish: Didn't get a good impression due to food, but it seemed very long and smooth.

Score: 96 points. In a less intense setting I might have scored it higher, but I just couldn't get over the hill from "outstanding" to "magnificent" while in a restaurant, even one as nice as Queen Italian in Brooklyn.

[Eric Ifune]

Glenn, thanks for bringing this.
It was superb!

[Roy Hersh]

This is about as great as a 40 year old Tawny gets. Are there any that you like more than the Romaneira?

[Glenn E.]

Not so far! But there are a couple that I haven't had the chance to try yet that might give it a run for its money, such as the S. Leonardo.

[David Spriggs]

Oh! You haven't had the S. Leonardo 40? I'll have to bring one up soon to share!

[Glenn E.]

Not yet... I've only had their 30, which is pretty amazing.

[Eric Ifune]

Haven't done it yet, but love to have the Romaneira and Noval side by side.

[Glenn E.]

Haven't done it yet, but love to have the Romaneira and Noval side by side.

I sense a tasting in the making. Perhaps at the yet-to-be-organized FTLOP Anniversary tasting in July?

I have Romaneira, Kopke, Noval, and Quevedo on hand. An S. Leonardo and maybe a Villar d'Allen or Brunheda to round things out?

[Carl D]

Haven't done it yet, but love to have the Romaneira and Noval side by side.

I sense a tasting in the making. Perhaps at the yet-to-be-organized FTLOP Anniversary tasting in July?

I have Romaneira, Kopke, Noval, and Quevedo on hand. An S. Leonardo and maybe a Villar d'Allen or Brunheda to round things out?

I'd love to do a 40 yo blind tasting. It's a pricey affair, but oh, so tasty! At present we have none on hand at all, but that can be corrected :)

[Eric Ifune]

I've a few myself!