Experience the unmatched elegance of Taylor Fladgate 50 Year Tawny Port "Golden Age," a rare and luxurious offering crafted from the finest wood-aged Ports of the Douro Valley. Meticulously matured for five decades in seasoned oak casks, this collector's edition achieves a peak of complexity, smoothness, and balance. Its radiant chestnut and copper hues set the stage for a rich bouquet of rum-soaked raisins, clove, nutmeg, and a touch of black pepper. The palate unfurls opulent layers of dried fruits, citrus zest, and tropical notes like passion fruit and toasted coconut, all harmonized by a refreshing acidity. With its velvety texture and endlessly lingering finish, this extraordinary Tawny Port is a sublime complement to desserts, nuts, or cherished moments of celebration. Perfect for commemorating a golden milestone, this masterpiece symbolizes centuries of tradition and artisanal excellence.
Process & Profile
Crafted from rare wood-aged ports, Taylor's Fladgate 50 Year Tawny Port Golden Age epitomizes over three centuries of winemaking excellence. This luxurious wine derives its character from the finest vineyards in the eastern Douro Valley, Portugal. The process involves handpicking traditional grape varieties, expert fermentation, and a meticulous aging period of five decades in seasoned oak casks, selected by Taylor's master coopers. The extended aging allows the wine to reach its 'Golden Age' of maturity, ensuring perfect balance, unparalleled complexity, and a velvety smooth texture.
Tasting Notes
Taylor's Fladgate Golden Age offers a sensory masterpiece:
-
Color: A striking chestnut-copper core with a shimmering golden rim.
-
Aroma: A sophisticated bouquet featuring rum and raisin, clove, nutmeg, and a whisper of cracked black pepper.
-
Palate: Layers of prunes, quince, and apricot, balanced by the citrus zest of lemon and orange. Exotic notes of scorched pineapple, passion fruit, and lychee mingle beautifully with toasted coconut, almonds, and butterscotch. The texture is both weighty and silky, leading to a poised, bright finish that lingers breathtakingly long.
Its remarkable combination of sweetness and acidity creates a wine that is elegant yet opulent.
What Makes It Special
Taylor's Fladgate 50 Year Tawny Port is a collector's treasure, released in limited quantities to celebrate milestones of tradition and craftsmanship. Its half-century aging in seasoned oak casks imparts a magical interplay of flavors and aromas, achieving a complexity and smoothness rarely seen in the world of port wines. This exclusive release not only honors Taylor's historic legacy but also embodies the art of blending, ensuring consistency and excellence across every bottle. Perfect for commemorating 50-year milestones, this wine transforms an occasion into a memorable experience.
How to Enjoy
To truly savor the Taylor's Fladgate 50 Year Tawny's brilliance:
-
Serving Temperature: Serve slightly chilled, between 12ºC (54ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF), to unlock its full range of flavors and aromas.
-
Pairing Recommendations: Pair with desserts such as crème brûlée, wild strawberries, or caramel-based sweets. It also pairs beautifully with dried fruits, figs, walnuts, or a fine selection of cheeses like aged parmesan or gorgonzola. For a standalone indulgence, enjoy it as an exquisite after-dinner drink.
-
Storage & Decanting: There's no need to decant this Tawny. Store the bottle upright at a cool and consistent temperature, away from direct light, to preserve its brilliance for special moments.
Taylor's Fladgate 50 Year Tawny Port Golden Age stands as a crowning achievement in luxury winemaking—a true testament to the Douro Valley's terroir, a harmonious blend of time, tradition, and unparalleled expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Taylor's Fladgate 50 Year Tawny Port Golden Age special?
This wine is a limited-edition blend of rare, wood-aged ports matured for five decades in oak casks. It represents the pinnacle of Taylor's craftsmanship, offering a perfect balance of complexity, richness, and smoothness. Sourced from the Douro Valley, it is designed to commemorate significant milestones, such as a 50th anniversary or half-century celebration.
What does the Golden Age 50 Year Tawny Port taste like?
It has an intense flavor profile featuring dried fruits, quince, apricots, and citrus zest balanced with silky notes of toasted coconut, butterscotch, and almonds. The long maturation in oak barrels lends it a velvety texture and a lingering, fresh finish, highlighted by flavors of rum, raisin, and nutmeg.
How is aged Tawny Port different from other Port wines?
Unlike ruby Ports, which are barrel-aged for shorter periods to retain their youthful fruitiness, Tawny Ports undergo prolonged aging in small oak casks. This process allows the wine to oxidize gently, developing nutty, caramel, and spice notes as well as its characteristic amber hue. The 50 Year Tawny Port is a testament to this careful craftsmanship, offering refined depth and complexity.
What is the ideal way to serve the 50 Year Tawny Port?
Serve this wine slightly chilled (around 12–16°C or 54–61°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity. It pairs wonderfully with desserts like chocolate, nuts, or dried fruits, as well as cheeses like blue cheese. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a luxurious after-dinner drink.
Does the 50 Year Tawny Port age further in the bottle?
No, aged Tawny Ports, including the 50 Year Golden Age, have already reached maturity in cask before bottling. They do not benefit from additional bottle aging, but their flavor profile can remain stable for many decades if stored properly. Once opened, it is best to consume within four months for optimal flavor.
How is the 50 Year designation calculated?
The "50 Year" designation refers to the average age of the wines in the blend. It includes components that may be younger or older, but all have been carefully selected and blended to achieve a unified flavor profile that reflects five decades of maturation in oak.
What is the alcohol content of the Taylor's Fladgate 50 Year Tawny Port?
This Tawny Port has an alcohol content of 20%, achieved through fortification with grape spirit during the winemaking process. Fortification stops fermentation, preserving the wine's natural sweetness and balance.
How long can the Golden Age 50 Year Tawny Port last once opened?
Thanks to its fortification and extended barrel aging, this Port is more stable than many other wines. If stored in a cool, dark place and resealed properly, it can retain its flavors for about four months after opening.
Where does this Tawny Port come from?
The wine is sourced from the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage region in Portugal known for its exceptional terroir and viticultural history. The grapes are grown in Taylor's own estates, and the wine is aged in cellars in seasoned oak barrels before release.