Offering of Quinta do Mourao very old white Ports

[Glenn E.]

I received this in the mail this morning from Fine+Rare in the UK and found it notable for two reasons.

First, Miguel has apparently decided that selling two different 60s is confusing (it was) and so has changed his white Port offerings to a 50 and a 90. I think this is an excellent move on his part. It does have the side effect of making the FTLOP buying opportunity bottles of 60 white more rare and special.

Second, this is the first time I've ever seen one of my tasting notes referred to in a retail offering. It doesn't mention me by name, but the bolded mention refers to my article in the FTLOP newsletter.

Anyway, if you're interested in any of these, Grace Wakefield is my contact at Fine+Rare and she'd be happy to help you out. PM me for her contact information.

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Quinta do Mourao’s Rare Ancient Ports are things of beauty. They appeared on our radar when the Port website For the Love of Port awarded perfect scores to two of their 2017 releases. Having sampled them, they lived up to the billing and were massive sellers last year. The new releases are with us and are another triumph, with the 90 Year Old White Port at £925 per 50cl and 50 Year Old White Port at £295 per 50cl both highly recommended.

Each is an utterly extraordinary liquid to taste and both have all of the depth and concentration you’d expect from a fortified wine of this age, yet have a sublime acidity that gives incredible tension and balance keeping them alive and fresh despite their decades of maturity. They are very much the equal of last year’s releases and while not yet rated, it’s hard to imagine them achieving anything less than perfect scores, they’re that good.

Supply is unsurprisingly tiny. White Port of this age is near unheard of and therefore it is quite unique to find any on the market at all. Just a few hundred bottles of this exist and as the casks from which they were drawn are unrepeatable treasures, these are all that will ever be available to buy. They are the epitome of fine and rare and are just about unmissable.

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Quinta do Mourao, 90 Year Old White Port
£925 per 50cl bottle in bond – Only 60 bottles available
Dark, intense and concentrated in the glass. On the nose a spectacular array of aromas; honey, beeswax, lemon and an aged Sauternes character. Thick and unctuous on the palate with breathtaking depth and the sort of complexity that only comes with serious age. Fudge, caramel and Christmas cake lead through a near endless, beautifully balanced and utterly exquisite finish. A magnificent drop. (Mar 2018) FINE+RARE

Quinta do Mourao, 50 Year Old White Port
£295 per 50cl bottle in bond – Only 60 bottles available
Bright and clear in the glass, golden coloured and inviting. A gorgeous nose of butterscotch, toffee, baked apples and honey aromas all reveal themselves in layer after addictive layer. On the palate it’s hard to describe the balance as anything other than perfect as the sublime acidity gives the rich and intense butterscotch and salted caramel flavours incredible poise. This epic finish is a thing of beauty. Wonderful. (Mar 2018) FINE+RARE

[Eric Menchen]

So when and where might we find these in the U.S.?

[Glenn E.]

So when and where might we find these in the U.S.?

No idea! But I'll see if I can find out.

[Eric Ifune]

At least they mentioned the website.
Ayesha told me last year when I picked up the buying opportunity wine that Miguel was working on a 50 year old white. I guess it's released. Surprised it happened so quickly.

[Roy Hersh]

I've tasted both already. The 90 in particular, is killer!

Mourao is not the only producer with whites this old being sold nowadays.