For The Love Of Port

On Mother's Day was at a restaurant with family. My Uncle and I had a glass of Graham's 30 Year---it was very lovely---even better was that my Uncle really loved it too. I admit I struggle with the lower end tawnies, but these older ones really are interesting and great to taste. My experience is very limited in both the 30 & 40 year category (less than 6 tasted) and I'd like to try more---especially if my Uncle will be around.

So I am curious, what are your favorite 30 Year Tawny Ports? (and why?)....And are there any you very much dislike?

San Leonardo and Krohn.

Eric Ifune wrote:San Leonardo and Krohn.

+1
Niepoort's is also really good, but different than the above.

Without a doubt, Van Zeller 30 year old Tawny

Just for the record I've had the following:

San Leonardo (excellent)
Grahams (excellent)

That's is (well there is the Casa de Santa Eufemia 30 year White). I considered myself tending towards the ruby side, but these older tawnies (30 & 40) are really great.

Thanks for the replies so far, really appreciate them---main problem now is most of the recommended ones are not in the states and I only got one San Leonardo 30 and one 40 in the buying op (and both are gone---my bad for not buying more).

Glenn E. wrote:

Eric Ifune wrote:San Leonardo and Krohn.

+1
Niepoort's is also really good, but different than the above.

Roy reminded me that Sandeman's 30-yr old is also excellent, and very distinct from their 20-yr old. I'd recommend it also!

I would also recommend the Sandeman 30 year. Different style than the S. Leonardo, not quite as sweet as the Grahams. I think it's the layers of complexity that wins me over for the Sandeman, and the long finish.

My preferred 30 year old Tawny is VISTA ALEGRE - a really great wine.
Second favorite 30 year old is S. LEONARDO.

I love the Ramos Pinto!

Great to see some variety in the replies. Seems more than a few houses make a great 30 year old Tawny Port.

Taylor and Sandeman are first two that come to mind, but I have not had many 30 year tawny's.

Frederick Blais wrote:I love the Ramos Pinto!

I was able to get my hands on a freshly filled bottle and have been enjoying it over the past week. Really marvelous stuff.

On friday 10 people opend 8 bottles of 30 Year olds.
Then were tasted blind, and The top 3 of The Night was:
1) Javali
2) Ramos Pinto
3) Krohn

It was my first Javali, and it surprised hugely.

After the tasting, our host presented 2 more 30 Year olds. A Messias bottled in 1975, and a most wonderful Fonseca, believed to have been bottled in the mid 60s.

If the before mentioned Fonseca had been part of the tasting, There would have been another winner.
Still powerful and fresh.

Reminding me of a beautiful 30 Year old from Niepoort bottled in 1978, I enjoyed not long ago.
Don't tell me, that port cannot develop in a bottle

I picked up a Sandeman's 30yo today. I don't have access to a wide range of tawny's in my area, but I am quite fond of Sandeman's 20 and Graham's 20.

I have never had a tawny older than 20 before, so not sure what to expect. Going from 10yo to 20yo I generally find more depth, richness, and complexity. I was expecting another step up for the 30yo.

Not wowed so far. Should I be looking for additional nuances and subtleties in the 30, rather than more richness and power?

What I have noticed about the Sandeman 30yo over the 20yo is layers of complexity. The depth is wonderful to me and makes 30yo tawnies "just right".

In no particular order:

Sandeman, Niepoort, Krohn, Casa Santa Eufemia, Ramos Pinto and S. Leonardo, round out my top half dozen faves in the category.

My favourite 30 years include.

Krohn, DR, Javali and Bulas.

Yep, DR is an excellent one too.

S Leonardo and DR