Taylor Fladgate 40-Year-Old Tawny Port

Description

The NV 40 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled with a bar top cork in 2014. It comes in with 125 grams per liter of residual sugar. Big, weighty and mouth filling, this is an aromatic Tawny that finishes with acidity and tension. Gripping on the finish, its flavors become more interesting as long as it sits in the glass (or on your palate). It is not, perhaps, as sunny as the Fonseca, its sibling reviewed this issue, but it is denser and more gripping. Comparing to the Taylor 30 (also reviewed), I'm not sure I liked the 40 here all that much better. The 30 is a bit fleshier while this 40 is a bit more concentrated in flavor and aromatics. Perhaps some additional age also helped this 40 combat some of the aggression on the 30. They are both pretty fine, a difference of five to Midnight and five after, rather than night and day. It is still a fine experience and my favorite of the group. Don't drink it too warm. Room temperature is mostly too warm. The sweet spot for most tends to be 58-62 degrees Fahrenheit. Drink date: 2015-2055. Score - 95. (Mark Squires, robertparker.com, Dec. 30, 2015)

Tasting Notes

Taylor Fladgate 40 Year Old is made with estate fruit in miniscule quantities. This is the essence of port from its spicy (cinnamon) nutty nose to its ultra complex collection of scents and flavours. On the palate the attack is mellow and silky smooth - it doesn't age in wood for forty years for nothing. The flavours are strong and nutty reminiscent of figs, raisins, caramel, dried apricots, orange peel and brown sugar. The finish is a long, soft warm complex affair that never really seems to go away that is drier than you might think. Buy and hold or drink now with a nutty cake dessert. A fabulous experience. Tasted July 2015. Score - 96. (Anthony Gismondi, winealign.com, July 2015)

Tags

Fortified Wine, Port, S - Sweet, Sweet, Tawny Port, Wine