40 Year Old Tawny Port by Kopke

[Glenn E.]

This is one of my last few bottles (3 left after this) from the FTLOP purchasing opportunity back in 2009. I've slowed down drinking them as my supply has dwindled and they've been complemented by the Noval 40-yr old and the Romaneira 40-yr old. I had a case of each at one point but am now down below a case total between the three.

Opened for Christmas dinner along with a 1970 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port. Unlike the Taylor, I left some of this in the bottle on purpose to see how it would last. After 2.5 weeks it's still amazing!

Kopke 40-yr Old Tawny Port

Color: Dark tawny with orangey-red highlights. I wouldn't quite call it mahogany in color, but it's close. Very dark, and lots of brown.
Nose: As is typical, lots of (to me) Madeira-like notes. Some leather, some dark aromatic wood like sandalwood, some apricot, and a bit of spirit. I can't quite call it alcohol, but it's in the same vein. Maybe a little vanilla, too, but more of a darker brewed style than a vanilla ice cream style.
Palate: Dark, powerful, and rich. Lots of citrus and excellent acidity. Almost too much acidity for my taste. Medium full or possibly even full body, but it's not heavy in the mouth. Many different torrefacted notes like coffee and dark toffee, possibly even some toasted sugar.
Finish: Goes on and on and on... and on and on. Seemingly endless. Lots of citrus to start and a rush of saliva from the potent acidity. Then a sharp or perhaps bitter note, but in this case it's more of a concentrated blast of flavors than anything unpleasant. At one point there's even a dry sensation much like a mild tannic grip. Apple skin, white grape skin, some apple seed, maybe some stem... all kinds of flavors come and go. Superb.

Score: 95 points. It started out lower on Christmas day, but really improved over the next couple of days and has remained at a consistently high level ever since. Alas, now it is gone. Kopke's 40-yr old has never really been my favorite due to its bracing acidity, but it's consistently right up there at the top.