Event: FORTY YEAR OLD FACE-OFF

[Stewart T.]

FORTY YEAR OLD FACE-OFF - Sammamish, Washington (3/5/2022)

• S. Leonardo Porto 40 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Bottled in 2015. Amber-orange in color with some light yellow on the rim. Vanilla cream caramel on the nose. Rich caramel and orange spice on the palate. Smooth flavor profile with expansive, mouth-coating mid-palate. This makes me wonder if there might be some white grapes in the blend. Some noticeable acidity on the medium-dry finish. (93 pts.)
• DR 40 Year Old Tawny Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto<br/>
  Bottled in 2015. Amber-brown in color. Toasted coconut and some light wood notes on the nose. Very smooth approach with some nice acidity and notes of well-integrated caramel, honey, and orange spice. (94 pts.)
• J.H. Andresen 40 Year Old Tawny Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Bottled in 2021. Amber-orange in color, with light orange on the rim. Nice warm, herbal notes on the nose. Very smooth entry leading to a pop of bright acidity from the mid-palate all the way through to the end of the long finish. (92 pts.)
• 1987 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Decanted for six hours. Dark amber-purple in color. Wonderful dark fruit and amazing Christmas Spice on the nose. Excellent structure with a touch of warmth on the very long, balanced finish. (94 pts.)
• 1995 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Dark fruit on the nose with prunes and stone fruits. Smooth tannins. Really amazing balance and structure but still showing signs of amazing power. (95 pts.)
• 2019 Dalva Vintage Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Dark opaque purple. Dark, primary fruit on the nose. Wonderful, rich dark fruit - blackberry and black current - on the palate. This wine looks like a young VP, smells like a young VP, but drinks like an older VP because of the great integration it is already showing. (94 pts.)