20 Year Old Tawny Port by Sandeman

[Andy Velebil]

Today was one of those days that I have looked forward to for some time...getting back on the motorcycle at work. After several years off of it, I have been yearning to get back on ye 'ol "Steel horse." So after getting home and making a pasta dinner with a bottle of Zinfandel that a friend made (his senior project for his university degree 4 years ago) I was really yearning for some Port. Its been a bit warm down here so a tawny really sounded good....thus this bottle.

I bought this at an auction last year mainly because it was bottled in 2002. I've had many bottles of Sandeman 20 year tawny's, as they are a favorite of mine, and I was curious to see how a slightly older bottling held up. So here my impressions of this one.....

I've always been struck at how tanish brown these are. Many other 20 year old tawny's tend to show a little more red highlights than the Sandemans. With a nose of cedar, orange peel, and molasses overlaying some spices, which I have always loved in this bottling, and which is consistant with more recent bottlings. The palate is quite zingy and the acidity is very prominate, but in a fresh exciting way. However, the mid palate is a bit thin, showing carmel, hazelnuts, and a touch of cumquats. But there is a bit of excessive heat that is distracting as I swallow. The finish is a littler shorter and simpler compared to the many other bottles of this I've had. Overall, a very decent bottle but not up to par with other, more recent, bottlings of this I've had. 90 points.
05/02/08

[Bjørn Tore Aastorp Ruud]

Thanks for the note, one of my favorite 20 years old tawnies. However I have always tasted the latest bottlings, has been some years now since the last zip of this good wine.

[Andy Velebil]

Today I finished up the bottle and some of that excessive heat had mellowed. But it still was a little short on the finish, unlike more recent bottlings of this I've had.

[Moses Botbol]

One of my favorites also. NH Liquor Store has it usually for $35.00!

[Andy Velebil]

Bjorn and Moses,

This is always a favorite of mine as well. Of course it doesn't hurt that it sells for less than others in its class. Since tawny's are blends and not all bottlings are 100% the same as the previous, its always fun to see how they stack up to the recent bottlings. But if anyone is looking for a solid 20 year tawny, the Sandeman is a pleaser.