Multi: Taylor's 10 year Tawny Port vs Quinta do Noval 10 yr

[Todd Pettinger]

Another thread has been following the Q do Noval 10 yr Tawny, and a couple requests were made for a Taylor 10 yr TN. So, happy to oblige, I bring you this...

I have always thought of Taylor 10 yr Tawny as my mainstay Aged Tawny port... one that never disappoints and is always of consistent quality. It still is, but I have recently discovered other 10 yr Tawnys that do a bit of a disservice to the old faithful Taylor. :)

I am trying to get together a tasting of a "10 year Tawny Horizontal." I know, I know... 10 yr Tawnys cannot really be compared properly in a true horizontal. We'll use the terminology for ease of use, if not for proper grammar. I think a 'horizontal' of multiple 10 yr olds would be a fantastic little venture. Unfortunately I cannot afford to run one myself with 10+ wines, so I'm trying to convince a couple of friends to each buy two bottles of 10 year and bring them all over one night for a killer horizontal.

Anyway, onto the TN:

-colour that reminds me of a garnet stone, with some orange colour and hints of light brown when tilted to the light
-nose of orange peel, toffee, brown sugar, raisins. No alcohol to speak of on the nose.
-a bit hot, the alcohol does stand out a bit, serving as a distractor from the sweet, mellow flavours of caramel. A touch of mint and pepper on the palate as well, but the alcohol is quite apparent on this night.

I know that I definitely prefer the Taylor 20 yr old, which seems to be more mellow, smooth, with less acidity and alcohol standing out, calling out for attention. I do have a bottle of the 20 yr in the basement so perhaps it is time to pay a quick visit to that old friend one night soon.

Compared side-by-side with the Noval 10 yr Tawny (my first time tasting that) I definitely would choose the Noval 6 days out of 7.

Todd

[Alex K.]

I think that the Noval has now spoilt the Taylor for you, sorry about that. Try some sharp cheeses to take the nasty taste away before drinking it.

[Todd Pettinger]

You know Alex, you could be very correct. I had some aged cheddar late last night with the last glass of Taylor 10 yr and it seemed to take some of the heat out of it... made it better.

I have now tasted several 10 year old Tawnys (Taylor, Graham, Noval, Warre, Otima, Smith Woodhouse, and a Barros 10 yr Colheita) and now have similar beliefs that Taylor is middle of the road. Myself, I rate the SW and Warre 10 yr offerings below Taylor. Otima is on the same level, although slightly different style (more fruit) and the Noval would be in the top tier. Undecided on the Graham. It showed a lot of disjointed spirit, which did not impress me, but I would have to do it again and pay attention to further rate it.

I sense a 10 yr tawny horizontal on the horizon! 8)

Todd

[Ronald Wortel]

Todd, once you've tried the Niepoort and Quinta do Vallado 10YOT you'll be spoilt forever! Although the Noval is a very good player as well. :)

[Todd Pettinger]

I've been looking for the Niepoort 10 yr for a while Ronald. One store HAD it here a year or so ago, but it was much more pricey than a 10 yr shoudl be so I passed. Looks like they sold out without my help - so obviously SOMEONE knows about it! :)

The Vallado I have not seen here and it is unlikely to be something brought in. I'll keep my eyes peeled though! :)

Todd

[Ronald Wortel]

Well, both the Niepoort and the Vallado are more expensive than others. I don't know about price levels where you live, but over here the Taylor's or Graham's are usually around €18-20, while Niepoort and Vallado go for around €30. But keep in mind that these are small production, high quality ports. And worth the money if you ask me.

[Todd Pettinger]

Thanks Ronald, that makes it an easier pill to swallow when I know that these potentially could be even better than the Noval 10yr and most definitely better than the Taylor 10 yr.

18-20 Euro is around 27-30Cdn. Typically the Taylor 10 yr goes for around $30-35 depending upon vendor, so I would say a TAD more expensive, but not a lot. In my earlier days I figured the vendors were simply price-matching all 10yr Tawny to be around the same dollar value. Now I know that some are worth more and some less... due to taste and production.

Todd

[Andy Velebil]

The Niepoort 10 year is very much worth the money, IMO.

[Todd Pettinger]

After getting all cranky about the price of the 10 year old tawnies in the local shops, I happened to stop by a long-shot store (bulk discount wine/beer outlet that typically has a great selection of everything but port. They carry a great selection of cheap rubies and once in a while a good deal on a VP and LBVs if you buy 6 or more, so I check in with them once in a while just to check...) and found a bottle of the Noval LBV (2000) that I liked so much. Looked for more in the discount bin and found five bottles - not of Noval LBV, but the 10 yr Tawny.

The price tag on it was the same as the LBV, some clerk likely saw the Noval label and assumed they were all the same - C$19. ($17USD/£7.15) - a smoking deal! Needless to say that after tasting the Noval 10 yr thsi past week, I snatched up all the bottles they had left, after confirming the price marked was that being charged.

So, $100 for five bottles of Noval 10 yr - life is good! :) The Niepoort is still being sought after - haven't found it in town yet, but at least I'll have something in the meantime! 8)

Todd

[Alex K.]

Now that's a good deal.