For The Love Of Port

I'm currently enjoying a glass of this 20 yo tawny from a bottle that was opened 3 days ago.

I have to say that this Port did benefit a lot from oxidation. While keeping the same freshness it did build up in complexity and lenght. The nose is displaying aromas of vanilla, caramel, candied citrus, fresh almonds, nutmeg. Not the most intense, but expressive and complex. More is happening on the palate! Velvety smooth sugary entry mostly on caramel and vanilla, then on mid palate, viscosity meets acidity to develop another level on flavour complexity, mixing with orange peel, cinnamon, lingering finish on candied fruit, roasted nuts with a touch of heat that is integrating so nicely after those 3 days of being opened. 17-17.5/20 it was around 16/20 on the first day.

I had the chance to taste a 20 yo bottled in 1989 a month ago, it was really good right upon opening and with this 2011 bottling I can see why it needs time in the bottle if you want to capture the most of it.

Love this 20 year old tawny. I've got to get my note up a bottle we had with Dirk in Seattle soon. Well, really I need to find time to finish off all the rest of my notes from that weekend.

Thanks Fred--I got a bottle of this for the 20 Yr Tawny Tasting--will open a few days before per your notes--glad it showed well.

Just got two bottles of this from Chaad, who is importing Niepoort to this area. I will have to try it with fresh and 3-day tasting.