20 Year Old Tawny Port by Martinez

[Glenn E.]

Tasted 3/14/2010 at Roy's.

Martinez 20 Year Old Tawny Port
Bottled in 2008

Color: Medium tawny with an orange tint. It is lighter than I would normally expect of a 20-year old, but well within what seems normal.
Nose: Fruitcake, some light dried apricot, and a little bit of alcohol. More cake than fruit in the fruitcake, but that characteristic brandy note of fruitcake is present.
Palate: Feels weak. Very soft when compared to the Martinez 10-year old. Decent acidity, but barely. Thin caramel. This seems to be in the same elegant style as the Taylor Fladgate 20-year old, but this is a much weaker version. I noted it as "Taylor light."
Finish: A rich citrus leads out followed by pleasant warmth. Nice length, but not all that long.

Something of a shock for me after the 10-year old because I had already developed very high hopes for the older brother of the two. Roy said it had even gained weight since being opened. I noted no family resemblance with the 10-year old, which is really too bad. A 20-year old version of the 10-year old would have been spectacular. 85 points.