Smith Woodhouse Fine Tawny

Smith Woodhouse Fine Tawny

Brownish red well oxidised colour. Tannins and fruit on the nose. This port was a well mellowed and balanced combination of wood and fruit flavours.

Sainsbury's Quinta do Crasto Vintage 2000

Sainsbury's Quinta do Crasto Vintage 2000

I couldn't believe my luck when this appeared on the shelves of our local supermarket under their own label as I was well aware of Quinta do Crasto's reputation. This had a dark ruby but not particularly intense colour. The nose was rich and fruity above the alcohol. On tasting it was pleasantly sweet and fruity with lots of tanin, which became softer after 24 hours in the decanter. In view of the special offer price and using up all my Nectar points, I bought as much of this as I could the following year for the cellar. I will look forward to enjoying it in another 5 years or so when the tanins have mellowed out.

Fonseca Tawny 20 Year Old

Fonseca Tawny 20 Year Old

I bought this in Fortnum and Mason's in London but was sadly disappointed with it. The colour was a clear brownish red; the amount of redness surprised me in a tawny of this age. I detected hints of oak on the nose. It tasted pleasantly nutty and sweet but with not much depth or complexity. Perhaps it was a little oversweet for me which overwhelmed the contribution from the oak.

Niepoort LBV 2003

Niepoort LBV 2003

Deep ruby colour. This port gave a smooth tasty and fruity mouthful without any harshness.

Vasconcellos Reserve Tawny

Vasconcellos Reserve Tawny

Brown colour with an oaky woody nose. This port was a complex and harmonious combination of sweetness, wood flavours and vanillas.

Vasconcellos Tawny

Vasconcellos Tawny

Brown colour with a hint of red and a nutty nose. This was pleasantly sweet and oaky with vanilla tones.

Vasconcellos Branco

Vasconcellos Branco

This had a light yellow colour with little to note on the nose. This tasted like a typical medium white port being both grapey and pleasant.