20 Year Old Tawny Port by Delaforce Curious and Ancient

[Andy Velebil]

Ok, After Roy's and Fred's recommendation in the Marketplace section, I ran off to the Wine Exchange, which is near my home. I got the Delaforce 20 year Tawney and the Niepoort Douro Red. Had both tonight, I'll post on the Nieport later in the Duoro section.

Right now I am enjoying the Delaforce 20 yr Tawny. This is my first 20 year Tawny (last night was my first 30 yr tawny, which was Graham's) This was bottled in 1997 so I am not sure how that would affect it, if at all. A nice medium brown color in the center fading to a light orange near the glass. The color was a bit hazy, like after you filter a VP. The nose was a bit muted, by reminded me of walnuts with no noticable alcohol. The mid palate was very reminicent of a warmed spiced cider. The finish was about 20 seconds with a bit of heat. I really liked the finish as it added a bit of complexity and warmth to it.

My overall impression was this is a good value for the $27.00 i paid. I had the Graham's 30 year Tawny last night after dinner at a restuarant (The Jar, in Los Angeles) and although the Graham's was more complex it had a lot of heat. I am enjoying the Delaforce, but I am left wondering if it is an off bottle as it seems a bit muted and lacking complexity. Of course, in two days I have expericend my first Tawneys with an indication of age, so I don't have much to compare them too at this point.

[Roy Hersh]

Andy,

Good for you for experimenting. I am not amused by the bottling date of 1997. Maybe that is why the price is low. 10, 20, 30 and 40 year old Tawny Ports, fit into an official category called: "Tawny Port with an indication of age"

These specific Tawny Ports are very much at their best right after bottling. Freshness does count with these wines and you normally want to buy them as close to the "born on" dating as possible. So, to have 8 year old bottles of 20 year old Tawny Port is not what I call good provenance. If you are not pleased with the wine and it stays "muted" bring them back to the shop for a refund. If they protest and will not return your money, please let me know, by posting in this same thread. Thank you!

[Andy Velebil]

Roy,

I returned the bottle and they took it back with no problems. I got the 1992 Dow's cohleita instead.

And the Niepoort was wonderful