10 Year Old Tawny Port by Niepoort

[Espen S.]

2010/4/15

Bottled in 2010

My first tawny. It's probably the most available Port in the country, with their half bottles in every store. Strangely, there's only half bottles available...
Slight leakage on the cork, but given the bottle age I don't think it affects the taste.

Decanted for a couple of hours. Color is orange-red, light and clear. A bit spirity, yet with very rich nose. Dried dates and bit of orange peel and spice. Quite a lot of heat on the palate for me. Taste of dried fruits, ripe berries, licourice, the finish is long with a bitter taste. Bitter in a good way. Tannins are there, but very subtle. The alcohol is very present. 88/100 so far.

This was practically bottled yesterday. Maybe it could use some bottle time to settle?

I'll let it breathe and see if the alcohol blows off, and I'll update this post.

Update: It did, sort of. Much more pleasant to drink, so final score for me would be 90.
Too bad it's only available in half bottles, it's impossible to leave some overnight.

[Thomas Tideman Holst]

Great note Espen. I totally agree with your impression. I've only had earlier bottlings of this one, but i seems there aren't much of a difference.
I'm mainly a VP fan, and tawnies always seems to be a bit sharp to my fruitloving palate.

[Glenn E.]

I'm not a fan of 10-year olds, but this is one of the few that I like. I don't recall it being spirity, but the rest of your note sounds just like I remember it!