Indulge in the luxurious excellence of Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port, a masterpiece born from the heart of Portugal's Douro Valley. This exceptional aged Port showcases a deep amber-gold hue and a complex bouquet of dried fruits, honey, and rich nutty aromas. Crafted from select red Ports matured in seasoned oak casks for three decades, it offers a velvety texture and a symphony of flavors, including caramel, figs, and toasted nuts, balanced by a refined, slightly austere quality. With its endless, smooth finish and exquisite depth, this Port pairs beautifully with desserts like crème brûlée, caramel-based treats, or simply savored on its own. A timeless expression of Taylor Fladgate's craftsmanship, it is ready to be enjoyed now, requiring no decanting, and best served slightly chilled.
Process & Profile
This 30-year-old Tawny Port is crafted using select red grape varieties from the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior regions of Portugal's Douro Valley. Taylor Fladgate employs innovative piston fermenter techniques, which extract maximum flavor and aroma. The wine is fortified with grape spirits early in the fermentation process, preserving its sweetness. It is then aged for three decades in seasoned 600-liter oak casks in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. Here, the cool, coastal climate ensures a gentle aging process, allowing the wine to develop its signature tawny hue, nutty complexity, and rich concentration as it undergoes gradual oxidation and evaporation over time (the "Angels' Share") .
Tasting Notes
The Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port dazzles with a deep old gold color, accentuated by amber hues. On the nose, it reveals an intricate bouquet of dried fruit, honey, and rich nutty aromas, layered with hints of caramel, toffee, orange blossom, and exotic spices. The palate is equally indulgent, offering lush silkiness, a well-balanced structure, and a touch of refreshing acidity. Expect flavors of figs, apricots, toasted nuts, salted caramel, and butterscotch, culminating in a long, satisfying finish with an elegant, slightly austere edge .
What Makes It Special
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Exceptional Aging Process: Aged for an average of 30 years in oak barrels, the wine undergoes oxidative maturation, resulting in unparalleled complexity, aromatics, and smoothness.
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Historical Provenance: Taylor Fladgate, one of the oldest independent British Port houses, has been setting the standard for Port wines for over 300 years.
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Meticulously Blended: Only the finest barrels are selected every two or three years to craft this extraordinary wine, ensuring consistency and finesse across every vintage.
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Recognition and Prestige: This Tawny Port has received high accolades, including 96 points from Decanter, highlighting its exceptional quality and refinement .
How to Enjoy
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Serving Temperature: Slightly chilled, between 12°C (54°F) and 16°C (61°F), to enhance its layered, aromatic profile .
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Pairings: This Tawny Port shines as an accompaniment to desserts like crème brûlée, pecan pie, or wild strawberries. Its nutty and caramel undertones pair wonderfully with figs, walnuts, and blue cheeses like Gorgonzola .
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Sipping: For a luxurious experience, savor it neat as a digestif, allowing its complexity to unfold sip by sip.
Indulge in the artistry of Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port—a wine that speaks volumes about tradition, innovation, and mastery in winemaking. Perfect for special occasions or as a thoughtful gift, it promises to elevate any moment into an extraordinary experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port unique?
Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port is crafted from select red port wines sourced from the Douro Valley in Portugal. These wines are matured in seasoned oak casks for 30 years. Its long aging process imparts a rich amber hue, complex flavors of dried fruits, nuts, caramel, and subtle spices, and an exceptionally smooth, mellow texture.
What does the 30-year age statement mean?
The age designation of 30 years refers to the average age of the blend used in the bottle. It is a blend of different vintages, carefully aged and selected to create a consistent profile reflecting the depth and richness that 30 years of aging in oak barrels can provide.
What are the tasting notes of this port?
The wine features a deep, golden amber color and aromatic nuances of dried fruit, honey, nuts, orange blossom, and fine oak. On the palate, it offers a lush, silky texture with flavors of caramel, figs, apricots, and exotic spices that culminate in a long, nuanced finish.
What foods pair well with Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port?
This port pairs excellently with a variety of desserts, particularly those featuring figs, almonds, caramel, or nuts. It complements dishes like crème brûlée or wild strawberries and can also be enjoyed on its own, paired with walnuts or dried fruits at the end of a meal.
How should I serve Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port?
Serve this port slightly chilled, at 10-14°C (50-57°F), in a small wine glass to enhance its complex aromas and flavors. Proper glassware allows the wine to aerate and fully express its depth.
Does the wine improve with additional bottle aging?
Unlike vintage ports, Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port does not require further aging, as it has already been aged extensively in barrels before bottling. It is best enjoyed as is, although it remains stable in the bottle for many years when stored properly.
How long does this port last after opening?
Thanks to its fortification and exposure to oxygen during barrel aging, Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port can maintain its quality for up to 4 months after opening, as long as it is properly sealed and stored in a cool, dark place.
What is the alcohol content of this port?
Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 20%, which is standard for fortified wines like Port.
Why is it called "Tawny Port"?
The name "Tawny" refers to the amber-brown hue the wine acquires during its prolonged oxidative aging in wooden casks. This process also produces its signature flavors of dried fruits, nuts, and caramel.