Taylor Fladgate Tawny Port 20 year old

The NV 20 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2015 and comes in at 111 grams per liter of residual sugar. On first taste, this was simply Taylor: big, concentrated and serious. It was all that and a bag of chips, but over a couple of day it also demonstrated far more elegance. It seemed arguably better balanced than the 10 year old Tawny this issue. Simply filling the mouth on first taste, this shows fine complexity for its age and it does everything else rather brilliantly. Succulent and inviting, it finishes with waves of concentrated flavors. The fruit remains lifted and and it has a bright, transparent feel. It is hard to resist, often seeming like a bit of an overachiever. It's not the best tawny Taylor's submitted this issue, but it might be the best intersection of quality and price.

A complex, wood aged wine, this 20-year-old has a perfumed, dry style. Walnut and spice flavors blend together with the spirit and mature acidity. It's rich, with just the right amount of age.

A warm, flattering style, with date, ginseng, toffee, caramel and mulled raisin flavors that take on a plump feel as they move through, ending with a flash of green tea that keeps this just lively enough. Leans toward the sweeter side and will have lots of fans for sure. Drink now.

The 20-Year Old Tawny (2017 bottling) has more complexity on the nose than the 10-Year Old: sage, red fruit, rosehip syrup and a touch of dried fig. The palate is medium-bodied with a lightly spiced entry, clove and white pepper mixed with a light curry note. There is fine harmony and elegance towards the finish with good depth and precision, completing just a great Tawny Port. Tasted at the Big Fortified Tasting in London.