Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port

Winery Background and History

Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman (Taylor Fladgate) is one of the great historic Port houses, founded in 1692, based in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Portugal. Over centuries they built vast cellars and tawny stocks, inheriting traditions of vine growing in the Douro and long oxidative aging in oak. Their aged tawnies (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years) represent the pinnacle of wood-matured Port style. The 20 Year Old Tawny is a signature age-statement wine in their “Rich & Mellow” category, crafted from their reserve barrels and blending across multiple vintages to reach balanced maturity, complexity and refined oxidation.

Producer and Wine Maker

Produced by Taylor Fladgate’s blending and aging division, the Taylor team selects older tawny barrels from the house’s extensive reserves, monitors oxidative development, and blends vintages averaging ~20 years in cask. The winemaker ensures consistent house style, balancing nutty, dried fruit, spice and residual sweetness, while preserving freshness and elegance in the final blend.

Vineyards and Micro Climate

Grapes for the base components of this 20 Year Tawny come from estates and contracted vineyards across the Douro Valley, particularly from the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior subregions. The Douro’s climate is continental—hot summers, cold winters—with steep terraces and schist soils that force deep rooting and promote concentration. The vineyard micro-climates and soil variation allow blending of barrels with differing oxidation potential.

Vinification & Aging Methods

After natural fermentation is partly completed, the wine is fortified with grape spirit to arrest fermentation and preserve residual sugar, a standard Port practice. Then the wine ages oxidatively in oak barrels (large seasoned oak casks) for many years (average ~20) before blending and bottling. The transformative oxidative aging develops nut, dried fruit, and caramel characteristics while softening younger fruit.

Tasting Notes

Deep amber / tawny colour. On the nose: aromas of dried apricot, fig, toasted almond, caramel, nutmeg, spice, orange blossom and hints of oak influence. On the palate: rich and concentrated, with dried fruit, nutty character, toffee and caramel, supported by balancing acidity and a silky texture. The finish is long and mellow with lingering dried fruit, toasted notes, and elegance.

Food & Wine Pairing

Pairs beautifully with desserts based on dried fruits, nuts or caramel—fig tarts, almond cake, crème brûlée, pecan pie. It also complements aged cheeses (especially blue cheese or nutty cheeses), walnuts, and dried fruit. Equally pleasurable as an after-dinner drink on its own.

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve slightly chilled, around 12-16 °C. Use a port glass or small red glass to focus aromas. Decanting is not necessary since this style contains no sediment. Once opened, store upright and consume within a few weeks for best freshness.

Storage and Aging Potential

As an age-statement tawny, further bottle aging has limited transformative effect, though it can remain stable and enjoyable for many years if stored upright in a cool, dark environment.

Grape Varietals & percentage used

Varietal blend typical of port houses: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão and Tinta Amarela. Exact proportions are proprietary to Taylor.

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

20 % ABV

Scores

• Wine Spectator: 92 

• Wine Enthusiast: 93 

• Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 93 

• Decanter: ~ 92 (approx)