For The Love Of Port

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.

Glenn, thanks for bringing this.
It was superb!

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

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.

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

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

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

Eric Ifune wrote: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?

Glenn E. wrote:

Eric Ifune wrote: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 :)

I've a few myself!