WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Fonseca Bin No 27 Finest Reserve Port N/V, Douro Valley, Portugal
$24.99 I 88/100
UPC: 5013521100451 As famous as Fonseca vintage port is, you can multiply those drinkers by thousands when it comes to Bin 27. It was launched more than 40 years ago in Britain, but has become a particular North American favourite in a market searching for a no-fuss port with some power and fruit. The goal was a smooth, full-bodied and densely fruity blend made in a style known at the time as “Vintage Character,” but known today as “Finest Reserve.” The firm was in the habit of naming its crusted ports using bin numbers, and Bin 27 was born. The attack is sweet and spicy with a touch of fire, sugared blackberry, cassis, dark cocoa, black tea, and finished with black pepper. Christmas pudding comes to mind or simply a handful of walnuts.
Graham's 10 Years Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley, Portugal $38.99 I 90/100
UPC: 5010867410220 Light amber, tawny, tea colours mark the spicy, toffee nose flecked with nuts, tea, and licorice root aromas. The palate is similar with mature honeyed fruit, mellowed by oak aging, leaving a rich fruitcake spiciness with hints of walnuts. A lovely mature, long, warm figgy/fruitcake finish shouts for the walnuts. A delicious fireside sipper.
Sandeman Tawny Porto 20 Years Old, Douro Valley, Portugal
$63.99 I 94/100
UPC: 005601083001639 Pale amber brick colour. Nutty, toffee, tea leaf, spicy, licorice root, tobacco ash, dried citrus peel, dried fig, rancio aromas. Full, round, elegant, warm palate with good acidity and sugar balance — not too sweet. Black tea, toffee, nutty, dried fig, cherry compote, crème brûlée, licorice, spicy, peppery, ginger flavours. Very fine structure and finesse with a long, rancio finish. Superb. Try with pecan tarts.
A Century of Port Taylor Fladgate 10-20-30 and 40 year old Tawny, Douro Valley, Portugal
$285.99 I 90/100
UPC: 5013626111291 This is a unique four-bottle presentation box containing one-half bottle each 10-, 20-, 30- and 40-year-old tawny. It is a rare opportunity to explore the evolution of tawny port as it ages in wood, starting with the round, youthful, and jammy 10-year-old through the luxurious 40-year-old with its mellow, complex, nutty caramel notes. It makes a fabulous gift for port lovers.
Taylor Fladgate Very Old Single Harvest Port 1966, Douro Valley, Portugal $299.99 I 95/100
UPC: 5013626114988 Taylor Fladgate boasts extensive reserves of ancient, cask-aged tawny ports, and as of 1964, has released a series of 50-year-old tawnies from a single vintage (colheita). A medium mahogany hue, with a complex nose of salted hazelnuts, almonds, orange, and light caramel carry onto a savoury palate. Layers of subtle spices, wood, salted caramels, fig, and dark molasses, framed with fine, persistent tannins. Extraordinary length and hum on the finish, with sweet tobacco and potent orange-caramel notes lingering. Subtly confident, this is a unique wine that is drinking beautifully now.