20 Year Old Tawny Port by Kopke

[Glenn E.]

Purchased by the glass at El Gaucho in Tacoma, WA. Bottling date unknown.

El Gaucho had all four of the Kopke tawnies with indications of age on their menu. I chose the 20-year old because the 30- and 40- were rather overpriced. I didn't take notes at the time so this is from memory. The glass tasted very fresh, so it was either opened that day or (more likely) El Gaucho has a very good wine preservation system.

The nose was a bit spirity but in a lightly perfumed way. I recall some vanilla and wet oak, but that's about all. In the mouth it was much nicer, round and rich with a great balance of dried apricot, meyer lemon, buttery caramel, and shortbread. I love the Kopke 40-year old but sometimes find it almost overpowering... this 20-year old stopped short of that point which made it a great Port to sip during polite conversation. I need to pick up a bottle to try at home and see if it's always this good!

93 points.