 |
||
| Wine and Chocolate Main | ||
| Sweet Surprises: Wine and Chocolate Matching | ||
| Australian Stickies | ||
| Banyuls |
||
| Sherry |
||
| Vin Santo | ||
Sandeman Tawny Port 20 Year Old
91 Points, $42
Technique: Fortified
The house of Sandeman, a merchant business specializing in Port and Sherry, was founded in 1790 in London. The company did not own any vineyards in Portugal's Douro Valley until recently (when it purchased the Quinta do Vau in the Cimo Corgo region), instead working principally with about 500 grapegrowers. This tawny Port represents field blends including leading Port grapes, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Francesa.
Traditionally, Portuguese vineyards were planted with a mix of grape varieties. These grapes are harvested, fermented and aged together rather than separately. The wines are then matured in barrels called pipes, which hold about 145 gallons, in the house's aging facilities at Vila Nova de Gaia. After roughly 20 to 23 years, barrels are selected for the final blend according to the Sandeman house style, which aims for balance, elegance and complexity -- hallmarks of this tawny. Its delicate, silky texture acts as a perfect foil for the honey and almond flavors. A hint of orange adds complexity and brightness, resulting in a sumptuous drink.
| Wine | Score | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAMOS-PINTO Pedro Ximénez Jerez Venerable NV | 93 | $48 | |
| Fabulously complex truffle, honey, cedar and tobacco box character. Medium to full in body, very sweet, with a silky, opulent finish. Stunning. 2,000 cases made. -- J.S. | |||
| GRAHAM Cream Jerez Eva NV | 91 | $24 | |
| Complex orange peel, cedar and plum aromas and flavors. It's medium in body and sweetness, with a clean finish. 5,000 cases imported. -- J.S. | |||
| NIEPOORT Moscatel Jerez Laura NV | 91 | $47 | |
| Incredibly sweet and unctuous. Medium in body, with intense honey, truffle and caramel character and long, long aftertaste. -- J.S. | |||
| DOW Cream Jerez NV | 89 | $23 | |
| Bright and beautiful honey, toffee, caramel character, with a touch of nuts. A vibrant, sweet Port of lovely, delicate structure. 5,000 cases imported. -- J.S. | |||
| COCKBURN Pedro Ximénez Jerez Noe Solera Exclusiva NV | 88 | $24 | |
| A bit fiery, but wonderfully elegant and silky. Medium body and sweetness, with honey, walnut and light plum character. Well-defined and balanced. 1,500 cases imported. -- J.S. | |||
| FONSECA Pedro Ximénez Jerez Viejo NV | 86 | $23 | |
| Portuguese paradox. Old and rich nut, tobacco and toffee flavors, yet it is fresh, thick and fruity, adding a slight tannic bite. 3,000 cases imported. -- J.S. | |||
