For The Love Of Port

I was wondering if tawnies with age indicated vary much depending on when they were bottled. I'd assume each brand would like to keep the flavor consistent but is that realistic to assume? So are all 20 year Taylors basically the same, or are all 30 year Dow's the same, etc.

I haven't noticed a difference in any of the ones that I drink regularly. It would be difficult to test, too, because a 3-yr old bottle has been aging and changing in the bottle while a freshly bottled one hasn't.

I think the Master Blenders are pretty good at their jobs, so the products remain about as constant as can be expected over the years.

Ok good, that's what I was hoping. I did consider age might change it a bit, but I didn't think a year or two would be too drastic.

I thought (and someone else on this forum) that the Kirkland/Costco Fonseca 10 year tawny's blend changed slightly from one year to the next. Without having both runs side by side, it's too hard to tell. That's the only time I have noticed that a tawny tasted different between releases.

Moses Botbol wrote:I thought (and someone else on this forum) that the Kirkland/Costco Fonseca 10 year tawny's blend changed slightly from one year to the next.

I would think that the Kirkland/Costco branding gives a little more leeway in variation than if the shipper put their own name on the bottle.

Eric Menchen wrote:

Moses Botbol wrote:I thought (and someone else on this forum) that the Kirkland/Costco Fonseca 10 year tawny's blend changed slightly from one year to the next.

I would think that the Kirkland/Costco branding gives a little more leeway in variation than if the shipper put their own name on the bottle.

The shipper said it's the same blend. The original blend had more eucalyptus and viscosity.

Moses Botbol wrote:I thought (and someone else on this forum) that the Kirkland/Costco Fonseca 10 year tawny's blend changed slightly from one year to the next. Without having both runs side by side, it's too hard to tell. That's the only time I have noticed that a tawny tasted different between releases.

From what I've been told the Kirkland is a slightly different blend than the Fonseca one.

It would be difficult to test, too, because a 3-yr old bottle has been aging and changing in the bottle while a freshly bottled one hasn't.

Exactly, but I think the blenders do strive hard to maintain consistancy.

Tom

Agreed Tom. Consistency is a hallmark of any serious Port shipper when it comes to their Tawny Port.

That is one thing that keeps people coming back to certain tawny blends is that consistency. I enjoy Taylor 20 for the fact that it shows nearly the same every time I have it. I know i can introduce friends and family to the Taylor 20 and expect the same output ever time. Taylor 10 is the same, I always know and spect that VA and that 2-3 days after it is opened it will be showing mush smoother and integrated. Nearly the same tastes each time. Consistency is a good thing when it comes to Tawnys.

I've always been amazed at the consistency over the years of these Tawny blends (with an indication of age). I have not seen that same consistency over the years in several of the noted names in Ruby Reserves (even back in the days when they were still called Vintage Character).

Do you know what the biggest change in the taste of a tawny port is?

IT'S WHEN THEY QUIT BOTTLING IT!



After that, it tastes like NOTHING.

Save a few empties of the Nimrod so that at least you can go back and sniff them Peter.

Peter W. Meek wrote:Do you know what the biggest change in the taste of a tawny port is?

IT'S WHEN THEY QUIT BOTTLING IT!



After that, it tastes like NOTHING.

Ah, sweet Nimrod... Rest in Peace...

Roy Hersh wrote:I've always been amazed at the consistency over the years of these Tawny blends (with an indication of age). I have not seen that same consistency over the years in several of the noted names in Ruby Reserves (even back in the days when they were still called Vintage Character).

but how many of us drink basic Tawny's compared to basic Ruby's? I'm sure it's a safe bet that more basic or Reserve Ruby's are drunk compared to basic tawny's at our level of passion. The basic tawny's may have changed and we just didn't notice it.

I didn't mention anything about BASIC Tawny Ports, just Tawny Ports with an indication of age, i.e. 10/20/30/40 year olds.

Roy Hersh wrote:I didn't mention anything about BASIC Tawny Ports, just Tawny Ports with an indication of age, i.e. 10/20/30/40 year olds.

I know. Now reread my question as it's a better comparison than using basic and reserve rubys to compare to Tawnys with an indication if age.

I just opened two Ferreira 10 year tawnies. One was bottled in 2008, the other in 2011. Similar in quality, but there were slight differences. I will try to post notes soon.

Any guess which is which?

Marco D. wrote:I just opened two Ferreira 10 year tawnies. One was bottled in 2008, the other in 2011. Similar in quality, but there were slight differences. I will try to post notes soon.

Any guess which is which?

I'd say that the one on the left is the 2011 bottling.

My guess would be the right is the 2011. One thing i have noticed with some of my tawnies that end up sitting in the basement a while, they lose colour.